Avanza (Mirtazapine) in Pregnancy

[mimcal]

Hi just wondering if anyone else has taken Avanza through their pregnancy. I just got my BFP and now I'm worried about this med. Especially as I went to the doctor today and she was concerned that taking it might increase my risk of miscarriage :confused:.
Would love to hear from anyone else who has taken it - either positive or negative experiences.

[kiddie]

Hi. I was on Avanza when i got pregnant. My Psych was keen for me to stay on it, but my OB was not so happy. The limited research around indicates it is not associated with higher risks for problems with babies development, however it can be associated with respiratory difficulties after birth (which are usually quite treatable).

I decided to wean myself off it, and did this slowly over a period of weeks. Was completely off it by 8 weeks pregnant and have not been taking any ADs since (am 25 weeks now). There are other AD's that are considered safer as they have been around longer and more pregnant women have taken them, so there are other options.

I guess what you also need to consider is if you are off the ADs is your depression likely to be worse and if so this is not great for the baby either. Perhaps you could chat to your doctor about trying one of the other ADs instead.

Good luck

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

I was taking it throughout my pregnancy with Sasha,i had no other choice but to take it,and my psych that works with pregnant woman says it is a grade A drug and that bubs will be ok.

I could no longer take the one i was taking before (endep) because it was interfering with my heart.I was weaned off endep(most frustrating 2-3 weeks of my life,couldnt sleep or even keep my temper/mood swings away) Then my psych put me on Avanza,i was on this until the end of my pregnancy and Sasha was absoloutely fine healthy and happy,infact he was a more settled baby than my daughter.

So i think that it would be fine to take(but thats my opinion) you do what feels right,it your body your baby,only you know whats right.

Good luck

[mimcal]

Thanks so much for your replies Heaven Sent and kiddie - I was starting to think I was all alone taking this med.

I'm only 5 weeks pregnant and my doctor is really concerned so I have gone down to half my dose and are trying to wean off it.

Of course now I am petrified that I'm going to lose the baby cause of this medication.... :gloomy:

Your posts are encouraging though. Just wish there were more people who had taken it and could tell me they had healthy babies and it's all good.....

[kiddie]

Try not to worry too much about miscarriage from Avanza as my understanding is that there is very little evidence of an increased risk, and of the studies that have shown an increased risk it is miniscule and not higher than any other AD.

Interestingly enough, avanza is also a treatment used for very severe morning sickness.

[Tam-I-Am]

Avanza should be pretty safe.

The respiratory difficulties somebody else mentioned can also be avoided by withdrawing from the medication about 6 weeks before your due date, so that the medication is completely out of the baby's system by the time s/he is born.

Do some research for yourself, contact a pregnancy-friendly psychiatrist, and go from there.

And CONGRATULATIONS on your BFP :)

[Missus S]

The public are always welcome to contact the Medical Info department of a pharmaceutical company if you have a question about one of their products. This is the phone number for Organon who make Avanza 02 9428 9411.

You'd basically speak to a Doctor who works there and they could even post out a heap of information for you...............if you'd like some clinical papers for bedtime reading ;)

[Missus S]

Oh.......and forgot......congrats on your :bfp: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

[mimcal]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I'm still worried about it - but trying really hard to put it out of my mind. I might take your advice and contact the drug company to see if they can give me some more info. I know they are likely to say that I shouldn't take it though just to cover themselves but the more information the better as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again.