Effexor XR - Please help me with regards to risks involved

[SimK]

Hi everyone

Well its great to have finally joined and to hear all you advise. I am 36 years old and trying to hopefully venture down the road of expecting. I was divorced 5 years ago and have to awesome children aged 10 and 8. I am now engaged to a high school sweetheart. We now have 5 children all together and I am hoping to be able to conceive and have 1 more with my partner. I know this is my 3rd pregnancy (hopefully) but I have been taking Effexor FX 75mg for the past 2 years due to quite a traumatic divorce. I am trying to find out if anyone has ever been in the same position or knows of any side effects to the baby while taking this medication. Would I be better to slowly take myself off the medication or is it OK. I would love to hear some advice and your valued opinions.

[Indadhanu]

I have taken effexor, but not while pregnant...
It's a category C drug, and studies on animals have shown some side effects, but there haven't been any studies on humans to see if it cause the same thing in humans.

I think you should have a chat with your dr, because even though there are some risks involved with taking it while pregnant, there are also risks to you with coming off it (withdrawal symptoms are extremely common). So you should probably have a chat and see what your dr recommends. But I would definately not wean yourself off it without drs supervision.

[Sammiejane]

Hi SimK

Maybe you should see your prescribing Dr of the Effexor to ask his/her advice, however this type of medication should not be stopped, rather weaned quite slowly.
The risks as far as i could determine are unknown, which means that there is lacking evidence to suggest that it is a safe medication.

Maybe you could start some from of counselling (if you are not already doing it) and wean at the same time. Obviously your life situation has changed and you may be able to cope without the medication if you have the supports in place prior to weaning.

Do wean slowly though as i know that doing it too quickly can cause rebound depression and increase anxiety/depressive symptoms.

But as i said before - best bet - speak to prescriber and maybe it would be a good idea to consult an OB as well to discuss options

HTH and goodluck

[Antheia]

I was on Effexor 75mg while TTC. My doctor told my it was fine to still take if i fell pregnant. But i would still ask your doctor if it is ok.

[SimK]

Thank you so much for getting back to me and showing some interest. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. Will let you all know what advise she gives.

[CeCe]

Hi SimK,

I'm hoping it doesn't happen to you but when i was TTC and asked both my GP and OBS about medication I was. Both were really non-commital, or did not know, if it was safe or not.

I heard about the Mothersafe program through the Royal Hospital in Sydney. I gave them a ring and they helped more than my GP and OBS combined. Google mothersafe for more information if you don't have any luck with your GP.

[SimK]

Thankyou so much. I really appreciate your advise. I will google that now. I am just really scared and dont want to take any risks.

Sim

[pollyanna]

I am also in the same boat as you sweetie. I am taking efexor as well and ttc. I spoke to A Dr Called Rodney Whyte he is a drug information specialist at Monash drug information hotline. I do have his number around somewhere;if you are still seeking help. He is so easy to talk to and an absolute wealth of information. in answer to your question he told me i was fine to stay on th efexor whilst ttc,and pregnancy, and breastfeeding. My concern being a relapse of pnd or worse. HTH;and you find the data you need

[SimK]

Your a life saver. I hope everything goes ok for you too. I guess we can only do what we have to do. The whole process just scares me thats all. Im seriously thinking of weaning myself off first. Would hate to take the risk of being the cause for any problems.

Sim