What are the risks to the fetus if the mother takes Ativan and Lexapro?

Question

If she takes those medications before conception and during pregnancy?

Answer 1

See 1. http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lexapro.htm

and 2. http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/loraz.htm

1. Lexapro - Category C
In a rat embryo/fetal development study, oral administration of escitalopram (56, 112, or 150 mg/kg/day) to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal body weight and associated delays in ossification at the two higher doses (approximately > 56 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 20 mg/day on a body surface area [mg/m2] basis). Maternal toxicity (clinical signs and decreased body weight gain and food consumption), mild at 56 mg/kg/day, was present at all dose levels. The developmental no-effect dose of 56 mg/kg/day is approximately 28 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. No teratogenicity was observed at any of the doses tested (as high as 75 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis).

When female rats were treated with escitalopram (6, 12, 24, or 48 mg/kg/day) during pregnancy and through weaning, slightly increased offspring mortality and growth retardation were noted at 48 mg/kg/day which is approximately 24 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. Slight maternal toxicity (clinical signs and decreased body weight gain and food consumption) was seen at this dose. Slightly increased offspring mortality was seen at 24 mg/kg/day. The no-effect dose was 12 mg/kg/day which is approximately 6 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis. In animal reproduction studies, racemic citalopram has been shown to have adverse effects on embryo/fetal and postnatal development, including teratogenic effects, when administered at doses greater than human therapeutic doses.

In two rat embryo/fetal development studies, oral administration of racemic citalopram (32, 56, or 112 mg/kg/day) to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis resulted in decreased embryo/fetal growth and survival and an increased incidence of fetal abnormalities (including cardiovascular and skeletal defects) at the high dose. This dose was also associated with maternal toxicity (clinical signs, decreased BW gain). The developmental no-effect dose was 56 mg/kg/day. In a rabbit study, no adverse effects on embryo/fetal development were observed at doses of racemic citalopram of up to 16 mg/kg/day. Thus, teratogenic effects of racemic citalopram were observed at a maternally toxic dose in the rat and were not observed in the rabbit.

When female rats were treated with racemic citalopram (4.8, 12.8, or 32 mg/kg/day) from late gestation through weaning, increased offspring mortality during the first 4 days after birth and persistent offspring growth retardation were observed at the highest dose. The no-effect dose was 12.8 mg/kg/day. Similar effects on offspring mortality and growth were seen when dams were treated throughout gestation and early lactation at doses > 24 mg/kg/day. A no-effect dose was not determined in that study.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; therefore, escitalopram should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

2. LORAZEPAM (atavan) MAY CAUSE FETAL DAMAGE WHEN ADMINISTERED TO PREGNANT WOMEN. 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. In humans, blood levels obtained from umbilical cord blood indicate placental transfer of lorazepam and lorazepam glucuronide.

Lorazepam injection should not be used during pregnancy. There are insufficient date regarding obstetrical safety of parenteral lorazepam, including use in cesarean section. Such use, therefore,is not recommended.

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-related rabbits without relationship to dosage. Although all of these anomalies were not present in the concurrent control group, they have all been reported to occur randomly in historical controls. At doses of 40 mg/kg orally or 4 mg/kg intravenously and higher, there was evidence of fetal resorption and increased fetal loss in rabbits which was not seen at lower doses.

Answer 2

Not good. You need to do research on all medications because there is always a risk. Each med is put into a safety category for pregnancy and breastmilk.
Ativan (lorazepam) is in a category "D" and IS harmful to the fetus. Not sure about BF.. you will have to research that one. It does get passed through breast milk but how much is not certain.
Lexapro (Escitalopram) is in a category "C" in which there is not a lot of evidence to say it will or will not harm the fetus. Not sure about BF.. you will have to research that one. It does get passed through breast milk but how much is not certain.

Talk to your administering doctor and ask your OB for a neo-natal specialist reference. They can give you some alternative medicine ideas and hopefully those meds will still work like Ativan and Lexapro.

If the meds are for anxiety and/or depression you may want to add group therapy to your schedule to learn how to handle these better.

Good luck

Answer 3

Consult with a doctor about this issue

NEVER ask people online what medications are safe to take while pregnant because people will tell you anything and everything under the sun.

Just go talk to a doctor or a pharmacist

Answer 4

Defiantly talk to your Dr. I took Zoloft while I was breastfeeding and switched to lexapro after I was done.
Also!!! I had a hard time stopping Lexapro. If you haven't started these meds then talk to your Dr about which ones have bad withdraw symptoms. It was so bad at times I couldn't carry my kids or drive due to dizziness.

Answer 5

Go to safefetus.com. I checked it constantly when I was pregnant...it lists all drugs by trade name and technical name.

Answer 6

get over it

Answer 7

don't get your info here...see a doctor!

Answer 8

it is my understanding that you can't take any meds while pregnant.

Answer 9

please call your doctor and ask them we are not medicla professionals on here. call your doctor