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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Pregnancy |
Fluoxetine (Prozac) used in pregnancy.09/25/2008 |
I`ve been taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) for two years. I`m taking 20ml two times per week. (one pill every three days). It`s for anxiety. I`m planning to have a baby. I would like to know if I can be pregnant while still taking the same dose, or do I have to stop taking definitively this medicine during the time of pregnancy.
Taking antidepressants in pregnancy is a complicated issue. Some women experience depression and anxiety to the point that, without medication, they are unable to properly care for themselves or their children. Severe depression in pregnancy may be associated with poor nutrition, poor fetal growth and postpartum problems like increased depression and poor infant bonding. Suicidal thoughts are also an important reason for medical therapy.
On the other hand, if depressive symptoms can be improved with counseling alone (interpersonal or cognitive/behavioral therapy), it may be preferable to taking medication. Although medications in the class containing fluoxetine are generally safe in pregnancy, there may be a small but increased risk of a rare heart condition in babies born to women who took them throughout pregnancy, and babies may show symptoms after birth of a temporary withdrawal syndrome.
You will need to speak with your doctor to determine whether the benefits of the fluoxetine outweigh the risks in your particular case.
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Jonathan A Schaffir, MD Assistant Professor Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology College of Medicine The Ohio State University |
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