What is diazepam?

Diazepam is a medication that has used to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. It is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures. Diazepam is in the class of medications called benzodiazepines. It is sold under the brand name Valium®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. If you stop this medication, you might have a return of the symptoms that diazepam helps control. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

If you choose to stop taking diazepam, it is important to slowly lower your dose of the medication, under the direction of your healthcare provider. People who suddenly stop taking diazepam might have withdrawal symptoms. It is not known what effects, if any, withdrawal could have on a pregnancy.

I take diazepam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if taking diazepam could make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking diazepam increase the chance for miscarriage? 

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if  diazepam increases the chance for miscarriage.

Does taking diazepam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Based on the studies reviewed, using diazepam is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. Older studies suggested a less than 1 in 100 (less than 1%) increased chance of cleft lip and/or cleft palate if a person uses diazepam in the first trimester of pregnancy. A cleft lip or cleft palate is when the lip and/or roof of mouth formed with a split and can need surgery to correct. More recent studies that are larger and better-designed have not found an increased chance of oral clefts or other birth defects with diazepam use in pregnancy.

Does taking diazepam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Some, but not all, studies have reported an increased chance for preterm delivery (delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy), low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth), and/or smaller head size in babies born to a person who was using diazepam and other benzodiazepines in pregnancy. Two of these studies followed the exposed children as they grew and reported they had reached normal weight ranges by 8-10 months of age. In one study head circumferences remained smaller than expected at 18 months of age.

I need to take diazepam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

Babies that were exposed to diazepam throughout pregnancy or late in pregnancy might have withdrawal symptoms starting soon after delivery or within several days of birth. Symptoms might include breathing problems, jitteriness, excessive crying, and trouble maintaining their body temperature. Some newborns may have loose muscle tone, sluggishness, and trouble latching on to feed (called “floppy infant syndrome”). Some babies might need to spend more time in the hospital to help manage these symptoms. The symptoms are expected to go away within a few weeks.

Does taking diazepam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if taking diazepam increases the chance for behavior or learning issues. Two studies have followed children who were exposed to diazepam during pregnancy until the children were up to 18 months or 3 years of age. These studies reported that the children were more likely to show certain behaviors, such as anxiety, sadness, and fearfulness.

Breastfeeding while taking diazepam: 

Diazepam gets into breast milk in small amounts. Diazepam stays in the body longer than some other benzodiazepines do. If you use diazepam regularly while breastfeeding there is a chance it could build up in the baby’s system and cause sleepiness or affect your child’s weight gain. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms like trouble feeding, breathing, gaining weight or being overly sleepy, contact the child’s healthcare provider.

The product label for diazepam recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But, the benefit of using diazepam may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using diazepam and what treatment is best for you. If you need to use a benzodiazepine regularly while breastfeeding, it might be preferred to use one that clears from the body more quickly than diazepam does. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes diazepam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects? 

Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if the use of diazepam can affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

The post Diazepam (Valium®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is alprazolam?

Alprazolam is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety and panic disorder, including anxiety associated with depression. It is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is sold under the brand names Xanax®, Niravam®, or Gabazolamine-0.5®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. If you take this medication regularly and then suddenly stop taking it, you could have withdrawal symptoms. Some reported withdrawal symptoms include seizures and rebound anxiety. Also, untreated anxiety and depression can increase risks to a pregnancy. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

MotherToBaby has a fact sheets on anxiety https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/anxiety-fact/ and depression https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/depression-pregnancy/.

I take alprazolam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if alprazolam can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking alprazolam increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Based on the studies reviewed, it is unlikely that alprazolam would greatly increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking alprazolam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Most studies on alprazolam use in the first trimester have not reported an increased chance for birth defects above the background risk. Two reports that looked at prescription records reported a higher chance for heart defects if a prescription for alprazolam was filled during pregnancy. Studies based on prescription records cannot tell if a person took the medication, so it is hard to know if the outcomes are related to the medication or other factors. Overall, an increased chance of birth defects has not been proven.

Does taking alprazolam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Some studies have suggested that alprazolam might increase the chance of preterm delivery (birth before week 37) and low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500g] at birth). Other studies have not found this association.

I need to take alprazolam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of benzodiazepines (including alprazolam) during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal and can include trouble regulating body temperature, trouble breathing, low energy, poor feeding, and vomiting. Most often, symptoms start soon after birth and could last several days. Not all babies exposed to alprazolam will have symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking alprazolam so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking alprazolam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Studies have not been done to see if alprazolam can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking alprazolam: 

Alprazolam passes into breast milk. While it is possible to breastfeed while taking alprazolam, a different medication may be preferred. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (being too sleepy, poor feeding, and poor weight gain), contact the child’s healthcare provider. After a single dose of alprazolam, there is usually no need to wait to breastfeed.

The product label for alprazolam recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But the benefit of using alprazolam may outweigh the possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using alprazolam and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes alprazolam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects?  

There is one report of a male who had delayed ejaculation and impotence (trouble with getting and keeping an erection) while taking alprazolam. One small study found lower sperm motility (movement) in those taking psychotropic medications (including alprazolam) compared to males who did not take psychotropic medications. These issues may make it harder to conceive a pregnancy. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications: There is a pregnancy registry for women who take psychiatric medications, such as midazolam. For more information you can look at their website: https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/.

The post Alprazolam appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is clonazepam?

Clonazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Clonazepam has been used to treat seizures, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). It is sold under the brand name Klonopin®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

I take clonazepam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if clonazepam can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking clonazepam increase the chance for miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if clonazepam increases the chance for miscarriage. One study found that people who were taking more than 4 mg/day of clonazepam had a slightly higher chance of miscarriage. As there can be many causes of miscarriage, it is hard to know if a medication, the medical condition, or other factors are the cause of a miscarriage.

Does taking clonazepam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if clonazepam increases the chance for birth defects above the background risk. There are a small number of studies of people taking clonazepam only during pregnancy. These studies have not found an increased chance for birth defects when clonazepam alone was taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. There may be different risks for people who take clonazepam in combination with other medications.

Does taking clonazepam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if clonazepam can cause other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth). Two studies suggest that babies exposed to clonazepam during pregnancy might be more likely to be born preterm or with low birth weight. These studies relied on prescription records, and it is not known if the people who were pregnant took their medication as directed. Also, the pregnancy complications seen in these studies may be more related to the underlying health condition, such as anxiety.

I need to take clonazepam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of clonazepam during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. Some babies exposed to clonazepam at the end of pregnancy may have trouble breathing, poor circulation, and low muscle tone (floppy baby syndrome). Some babies may need to spend some time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Not all babies exposed to clonazepam will have these symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking clonazepam so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking clonazepam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if clonazepam increases the chance for behavior or learning issues. A study of 314 children exposed to clonazepam during pregnancy found an increased chance of intellectual disability and delayed developmental milestones. One study of 269 children exposed to clonazepam during pregnancy did not find an increased chance of autism.

Breastfeeding while taking clonazepam:

Clonazepam gets into breastmilk in small amounts. Because it can cause sedation (sleepiness) and levels might build up in the infant’s body, other medications may be preferred while breastfeeding a newborn or an exclusively breastfed infant. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (sleepiness, not gaining weight, delayed milestones) contact the child’s healthcare provider. If excessive sleepiness occurs, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

The product label for clonazepam recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication while breastfeeding. This is because there is not enough information available on the use of clonazepam while breastfeeding to know how it could affect a baby. However, the benefit of using clonazepam may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare provider can talk with you about using clonazepam and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes clonazepam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if clonazepam could affect male fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

A pregnancy registry for psychiatric medications has been organized at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Contact the registry at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.

The post Clonazepam (Klonopin®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is lorazepam?

Lorazepam is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety and insomnia (trouble falling and/or staying asleep). It has also been used to treat seizures and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Some brand names for lorazepam are Ativan® and Loreev®. Lorazepam belongs to the class of medication known as benzodiazepines.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. The product label for lorazepam recommends people who are pregnant not to use this medication in the first trimester. But the benefit of using lorazepam might outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy. Studies have shown that when anxiety is left untreated during pregnancy, there can be a higher chance for pregnancy complications such as preterm delivery and/or low birth weight. MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on anxiety at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/anxiety-fact/. Some people have physical symptoms (called withdrawal) when they suddenly stop taking lorazepam.

I take lorazepam. Can it make it harder for me to become pregnant?

It is not known if lorazepam can make it harder to become pregnant.

Does taking lorazepam increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. There is one study looking at the class of benzodiazepine medication, including lorazepam. This study suggested an increased chance for miscarriage between 6 and 20 weeks of pregnancy when a benzodiazepine medication was used in pregnancy. Because the data is limited to this one study, it is not known if lorazepam could increase the chance for miscarriage.

Does taking lorazepam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Lorazepam has not been well studied for use in pregnancy. Based on the studies reviewed, it is unlikely that lorazepam significantly increases the chance of birth defects. One study found a possible association with anal atresia (bottom of the intestinal tract is closed off), and another study found an increased chance of pulmonary valve stenosis (abnormal development of the baby’s heart). There have been 2 studies that did not find an increased chance of birth defects with the use of lorazepam.

Does taking lorazepam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?

Some studies have suggested a higher chance of preterm deliveries (birth before week 37) and low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) in infants that were exposed to lorazepam in the second half of pregnancy. However, not all studies found a higher chance for these pregnancy complications. It is possible that other factors, not lorazepam, caused these complications.

I need to take lorazepam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of lorazepam near the time of delivery could cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. Symptoms can include irritability, crying, sleep disturbances, tremors, jitteriness, trouble breathing, or muscle weakness. Not all babies exposed to lorazepam will have these symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually go away within a few weeks as the medication leaves the baby’s system. These symptoms are not known to have any long-term effects for the baby. Let your healthcare providers know you are taking lorazepam so that if withdrawal symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking lorazepam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if lorazepam can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking lorazepam:

Lorazepam gets into breastmilk in low levels. No negative effects were found in studies of children exposed through breastmilk. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes lorazepam, can it affect fertility (ability to get a partner pregnant) or increase the chance for birth defects?

An increased chance of reduced fertility or birth defects is not expected when a male takes lorazepam. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

The post Lorazepam appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is midazolam?

Midazolam is a medication that has been used to treat seizures and anxiety. It has also been used with other medications for anesthesia in surgeries. Two brand names for midazolam are Versed® and Seizalam®. Midazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. MotherToBaby has a general fact sheet on anxiety at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/anxiety-fact/.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

I take midazolam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Midazolam has not been studied to see if taking it could make it harder to get pregnant. In an experimental animal study, midazolam did not affect fertility.

Does taking midazolam increase the chance for miscarriage? 

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if midazolam could increase the chance for a miscarriage.

Does taking midazolam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Human studies have not been done on midazolam use in pregnancy. Animal studies did not find a higher chance for birth defects with exposure to midazolam.

I’ve heard that taking a benzodiazepine can cause birth defects like cleft lip and palate. Is this true?

Probably not. Some of the first studies that looked at benzodiazepine use in pregnancy suggested a slight increase in the chance for cleft lip and/or cleft palate (the top lip and/or roof of the mouth do not form correctly and can need surgery) if taken during the first trimester. Since these early reports, there have been other studies and reviews that have not found an increase in the chance for birth defect with the use of a benzodiazepine during the first trimester.

Does taking midazolam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?

Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if midazolam can cause other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

If used near the end of a pregnancy, will midazolam cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

When used during the time of c-section, there have been some reports of newborns having difficulty breathing. However, there have also been reports of use during c-section without problems for the newborn. C-section itself can cause temporary breathing problem in the baby.

Does taking midazolam in pregnancy cause long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby? 

Midazolam has not been studied to see if taking it during a pregnancy would affect the child’s behavior or development. Animal studies have reported that midazolam, in combination with other medications for general anesthesia, might affect the developing brain. Based on this, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suggested that midazolam be avoided for use as general anesthesia and sedation during the third trimester of pregnancy for surgeries not related to delivery of the baby. If needed for a c-section, the baby would be exposed only for a short period of time; and this has not been associated with learning difficulties. For more general information on anesthesia, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet General Anesthesia at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/general-anesthesia-pregnancy/.

Breastfeeding while taking midazolam: 

Midazolam has not been well studied for use while breastfeeding. Small amounts of midazolam can get into breast milk after single intravenous (IV) doses. If midazolam is given as part of general anesthesia (including for c-section), or as a single dose, breastfeeding can be restarted as soon as the mother is ready to nurse (after any side effects, such as feelings of sleepiness, have passed). If more than one IV dose is given during breastfeeding, watch the baby for sleepiness (hard to wake for feeding), low energy, or poor suckling. If any of these symptoms are seen, discuss them with your child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes midazolam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects?

Midazolam has not been well studied for its effect on sperm. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

North American Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry: There is a pregnancy registry for people who take antiepileptic medications, such as midazolam. Please see the registry website for more information: https://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/introduction/.

National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications: There is a pregnancy registry for women who take psychiatric medications, such as midazolam. For more information you can look at their website: https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/.

The post Midazolam appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is triazolam?

Triazolam is a medication that has been used to treat insomnia (having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep). Triazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. A brand name for triazolam is Halcion®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of an untreated condition during pregnancy.

I take triazolam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Studies have not been done to see if using triazolam could make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking triazolam increase the chance for miscarriage? 

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if triazolam could increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking triazolam increase the chance of having a baby with a birth defect?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Triazolam has not been well studied for use in pregnancy. Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if triazolam increases the chance for birth defects above the background risk.  Experimental animal studies did not find a higher chance for birth defects with exposure to triazolam. One report on 97 people who used triazolam in pregnancy did not suggest an increased chance of birth defects. A report looking at people who filled at least 1 triazolam prescription found no link between triazolam and an increased chance for birth defects. Prescription based studies can not tell us if the person who filled the prescription actually took the medication during their pregnancy.

Does taking triazolam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Studies have not been done to see if triazolam increases the chance for pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

I need to take triazolam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of triazolam during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal and may include poor muscle tone and trouble feeding. Not all babies exposed to triazolam will have these symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking triazolam so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking triazolam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Studies have not been done to see if triazolam can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking triazolam:

Triazolam has not been well studied for use while breastfeeding. There is 1 case of an infant who was exposed to triazolam through breastmilk without reported side effects. Children exposed to this medication through breastfeeding should be watched for excessive drowsiness (being too sleepy). If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (such as being too sleepy), contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes triazolam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if triazolam could affect male fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. There is one case report of absence of sperm in a male taking triazolam and other medications; sperm counts returned to normal several months after stopping triazolam. A single case report cannot predict how this medication would affect sperm production in all males. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

A pregnancy registry for psychiatric medications, including triazolam, has been organized at the Massachusetts General Hospital. For more information, contact the registry at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.

The post Triazolam (Halcion®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is temazepam?

Temazepam (Restoril®) is a medication that has been used to treat insomnia (having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep). Temazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines.

I take temazepam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Studies have not looked at whether using temazepam could make it harder to get pregnant.

I just found out I am pregnant. Should I stop taking temazepam?

Talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. If you take this medication regularly and then suddenly stop taking it (called “cold turkey”), you could have withdrawal symptoms. It is not known what effects, if any, withdrawal could have on a pregnancy.

The product label for temazepam recommends people who are pregnant not use this medication during pregnancy. This is because there is concern based on the use of other medications like temazepam. However, the benefits of using this medication should be weighed against the risks of an untreated condition. Your healthcare provider can talk with you about using temazepam and what treatment is best for you.

Does taking temazepam increase the chance for miscarriage? 

Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Studies have not been done to see if temazepam could increase the chance for a miscarriage.

Does taking temazepam increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Experimental animal studies did not find a higher chance for birth defects with exposure to temazepam.

There was no increase in the chance for birth defects in one study involving 379 children exposed to temazepam during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Some early studies on benzodiazepine use in pregnancy suggested a slight increase in the chance for cleft lip and/or cleft palate if taken during the first trimester. (A cleft lip or cleft palate happens when the top lip and/or roof of the mouth do not form correctly and can need surgery to correct). Since the early reports, there have been newer studies and reviews that have not found any increase in birth defects with the use of a benzodiazepine.

Could temazepam cause other pregnancy complications?

If a person who is pregnant is taking a benzodiazepine near the time of delivery, a newborn might have withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms can include trouble breathing, muscle weakness, irritability, a lot of crying, trouble sleeping, tremors, and jitteriness.  If temazepam is used at the end of pregnancy, the baby can be monitored for these symptoms.

Someone told me not to take my benzodiazepine with diphenhydramine. Why not?

A single human report and animal data have suggested that the combination of temazepam and diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) might increase the chance for stillbirth or for infant death shortly after birth. People taking temazepam should talk with their healthcare provider before taking diphenhydramine during their pregnancy. MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on diphenhydramine here: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/diphenhydramine-pregnancy/.

Does taking temazepam during pregnancy cause long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby?

Temazepam has not been studied to see if taking it during a pregnancy would affect a child’s behavior or development.

Can I breastfeed while taking temazepam?

Temazepam has not been well studied for use while breastfeeding. Only small amounts of temazepam get into breast milk after single intravenous doses. Reports on 13 infants who were exposed to temazepam through breast milk did not suggest any health concerns. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

I take temazepam. Can it make it harder for me to get my partner pregnant or increase the chance for birth defects?

Temazepam and its possible effects on male fertility has not been studied. In general, exposures that fathers and sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

The post Temazepam (Restoril®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is estazolam? 

Estazolam is a medication that has been used to treat insomnia (having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep). Estazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. A brand name for estazolam is Prosom®.  

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.  

I take estazolam. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?  

It is not known if estazolam can make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does taking estazolam increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if estazolam increases the chance of miscarriage. 

Does taking estazolam increase the chance of birth defects?  

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Studies have not been done to see if estazolam increases the chance of birth defects. 

Does taking estazolam in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

Studies have not been done to see if estazolam increases the chance for pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth). 

I need to take estazolam throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?  

The use of estazolam during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. Symptoms may include low muscle tone, trouble feeding, being too sleepy, trouble breathing, irritability, restlessness, tremors, and excessive crying. Not all babies exposed to estazolam will have these symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking estazolam so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that’s best for them. 

Does taking estazolam in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?   

Studies have not been done to see if estazolam can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.  

Breastfeeding while taking estazolam: 

Estazolam has not been well studied for use while breastfeeding. The product label for estazolam recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But, the benefit of using estazolam may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using estazolam and what treatment is best for you. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (being too sleepy, poor feeding, and/or poor weight gain), contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a male takes estazolam, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects? 

Studies have not been done to see if estazolam could affect male fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.  

Please click here for references.

The post Estazolam (Prosom®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is clorazepate?

Clorazepate is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (such as anxiety and agitation). Clorazepate is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Brand names for clorazepate include Tranxene® and Gen-Xene®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

If you take this medication regularly and then suddenly stop taking it, you could have withdrawal symptoms. It is not known what effects, if any, withdrawal might have on a pregnancy. Your healthcare providers can help with slowly stopping this medication if you plan to stop using clorazepate.

I take clorazepate. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if clorazepate can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking clorazepate increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate increases the chance for miscarriage.

Does taking clorazepate increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate increases the chance for birth defects. Experimental animal studies did not report a higher chance for birth defects.

Does taking clorazepate in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate increases the chance for pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

I need to take clorazepate throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate might cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Based on other benzodiazepine medications, clorazepate may cause temporary withdrawal symptoms in newborns soon after birth, which are treatable. The baby can be monitored for “floppy infant syndrome” (poor muscle tone), trouble with feeding or breathing, or irritability. Not every baby exposed to clorazepate will have withdrawal symptoms.

Does taking clorazepate in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

It is not known if clorazepate increases the chance for behavior or learning issues.

Breastfeeding while taking clorazepate:

Clorazepate gets into breastmilk and stays in the body for a long time, which means medication levels can build up in a nursing infant. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (very sleepy and hard to wake to feed, poor feeding, or poor weight gain), contact the child’s healthcare provider.

The product label for clorazepate recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But, the benefit of using clorazepate may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using clorazepate and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk with your healthcare providers about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes clorazepate, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects in a partner’s pregnancy?

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate could affect male fertility or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here to view references.

The post Clorazepate appeared first on MotherToBaby.

What is chlordiazepoxide?

Chlordiazepoxide is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (such as anxiety and agitation). MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on anxiety at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/anxiety-fact/.

Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. The brand name for chlordiazepoxide is Librium®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

I take chlordiazepoxide. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if chlordiazepoxide can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking chlordiazepoxide increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if chlordiazepoxide increases the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking chlordiazepoxide increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. It is not known if chlordiazepoxide increases the chance for birth defects above the background risk. While there have been some reports of birth defects with first trimester use, no clear pattern of birth defects has been associated with this medication. Most reports did not find a higher chance for birth defects with first trimester use of chlordiazepoxide.

Does taking chlordiazepoxide in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Chlordiazepoxide has not been well studied for use during pregnancy. One study found a higher chance for low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) when chlordiazepoxide was taken during pregnancy. It is not known if chlordiazepoxide can cause other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37).

I need to take chlordiazepoxide throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

The use of chlordiazepoxide during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal and may include tremors, irritability, or other issues. Not all babies exposed to chlordiazepoxide will have symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking chlordiazepoxide so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that’s best for them.

Does taking chlordiazepoxide in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Studies have not been done to see if chlordiazepoxide can cause behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking chlordiazepoxide:

Chlordiazepoxide has not been studied for use while breastfeeding. Chlordiazepoxide stays in the body for a long time and may pass into breast milk. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (poor feeding, poor weight gain, or sleepiness) contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a male takes chlordiazepoxide, could it affect fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if chlordiazepoxide could affect male fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Please click here for references.

The post Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®) appeared first on MotherToBaby.