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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ivy on October 2, 2002, at 15:48:48
Klonopin is a wonderful drug, I've taken it for 4 years, and I now can be a relaxed human being. But, my doctor told me that it causes birth defects, so there is a bad side effect to klonopin. Has anyone else heard this?
Posted by BrittPark on October 2, 2002, at 18:21:03
In reply to getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by ivy on October 2, 2002, at 15:48:48
I hadn't heard it, but I just looked it up. The drug prescribing information warns against use during pregnancy. In animal studies it significantly increases the rate of birth defects.
I also looked up xanax and it's Pregnancy Category D which means there are some risks but the therapeutic benefit should be weighed against the risk by you and your doctor. So you might be able to switch to xanax or some other benzo with lower pregnancy risk.Hope this helps,
Britt
Posted by Phil on October 2, 2002, at 18:21:53
In reply to getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by ivy on October 2, 2002, at 15:48:48
Here's a great resource for answers
http://www.rxlist.com
Key in Clonazepam, generic Klonopin, and click on warnings and precautions. Looks like there are risks.
Posted by nmk on October 2, 2002, at 19:06:57
In reply to getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by ivy on October 2, 2002, at 15:48:48
Over a year ago when trying to get pregnant, I was on zoloft and klonopin. After meeting with numerous doctors and a genetic specialist, it was advised that I switch to ativan (category c). It worked just as well for the anxiety and I delivered a healthy baby boy in December.
Posted by ivy on October 3, 2002, at 12:56:51
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by nmk on October 2, 2002, at 19:06:57
nmk, thankyou for the info. Your experience with switching from klonopin to adivan (sp?) really gives me hope that i will be able to have a baby in the future.
Posted by nmk on October 3, 2002, at 16:45:28
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by ivy on October 3, 2002, at 12:56:51
You WILL be able to have a healthy baby. You have to remember to weigh the benefits with the risks. There are many psychotropic drugs that can be taken while pregnant and breastfeeding. I hope you have a supportive ob/gyn and pdoc who will work together with you through your journey ahead. Please keep me posted.
Posted by Phil on October 3, 2002, at 18:13:25
In reply to getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by ivy on October 2, 2002, at 15:48:48
Ivy, This is for Lorazepam, generic Ativan, from warnings and precautions on RXList. It doesn't look good.
Pregnancy: Reproductive studies in animals were performed in mice, rats, and two strains of rabbits. Occasional anomalies (reduction of tarsals, tibia, metatarsals, malrotated limbs, gastroschisis, malformed skull, and microphthalmia) were seen in drug-treated rabbits without relationship to dosage. Although all of these anomalies were not present in the concurrent control group, they have been reported to occur randomly in historical controls. At doses of 40 mg/kg and higher, there was evidence of total resorption and increased fetal loss in rabbits which was not seen at lower doses.
The clinical significance of the above findings is not known. However, an increased risk of congenital malformations associated with the use of minor tranquilizers (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and meprobamate) during the first trimester of pregnancy has been suggested in several studies. Because the use of these drugs is rarely a matter of urgency, the use of lorazepam during this period should almost always be avoided. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered. Patients should be advised that if they become pregnant, they should communicate with their physician about the desirability of discontinuing the drug.
In humans, blood levels obtained from umbilical cord blood indicate placental transfer of lorazepam and lorazepam glucuronide.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether oral lorazepam is excreted in human milk like the other benzodiazepine tranquilizers. As a general rule, nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is on a drug since many drugs are excreted in human milk.
Posted by Phil on October 3, 2002, at 18:22:08
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by nmk on October 3, 2002, at 16:45:28
What dosage were you on? It matters.
Why the genetic specialist, to address Ativan or (probably) lots of issues.
Could the specialist base his drug choice on genetics? If so, Ivy's would be different.
The package insert on Lorazepam doesn't make it sound very safe in pregnancy.
Posted by jamesdean on October 4, 2002, at 2:45:21
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopin » nmk, posted by Phil on October 3, 2002, at 18:22:08
I don't know about the effects on the fetus from klonopin, but I DO know about medication package inserts. My pdoc and therapist both informed me that the inserts are written by lawyers to keep the drug manufacturers from being sued. So, if in clinical trials, something was observed that might be related to the drug, it must be included in the insert as a possible side effect. Even if it only ocurred once. Of course it's wise to read med inserts, but consulting the genetic specialist would give her a more balanced picture of the benefits and risks to her and her baby.
Posted by nmk on October 4, 2002, at 18:51:44
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopin, posted by jamesdean on October 4, 2002, at 2:45:21
Thanks JamesDean for hitting the nail on the head regarding the fear of lawsuits. In answer to your questions Phil, I was on 1 mg of Ativan per night for the duration of my pregnancy. I consulted a genetic specialist prior to getting pregnant to discuss the possible risks to the fetus when taking medication. I also consulted my current pdoc (who is also an OB/GYN) who was very reassuring about the ativan and zoloft I was taking (category c drugs). He feels, and I agree, that an untreated mental illness during pregnancy could be more disasterous to a fetus than a woman who is taking medication to remain mentally healthy. It was a very personal decision based on a great deal of soul searching, and to this day, I don't regret my choices.
Posted by Phil on October 4, 2002, at 20:10:18
In reply to Re: getting pregnant on klonopinPhil, posted by nmk on October 4, 2002, at 18:51:44
You shouldn't regret your decision. I'm not familiar at all with pregnancy issues concerning what meds you can take, etc. I've read package inserts since beginning Amitriptyline in the early '80's.
I like for people to see all the info they can just to have more information. It can give them more issues to discuss with their doc.
This is the end of the thread.
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