I am 19 weeks pregnant and my doctor has percribed me Zoloft for my mood swings, when I picked up the percription I read the warning lables and they warned me against taking it while I'm pregnant. I called my pharmisest and he told me that I was in a gray area with this percription and it causing problems with the baby. I decided to do some looking of my own and found out that it is a category C drug for pregnancy and that it can not be said one way or another about the drug. I just wanted to know what a pregnancy category C drug is, and if the baby will be ok with me taking it.
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Q: What is a pregnancy category C drug?
Answers (1)
7/11/09 12:07pm
Hi there
Does your doctor know you are pregnant...the doc who prescribed the Zoloft?
Okay here is what I found for you on this.
This medication site has this to say about Zoloft and risks to unborn infants:
"FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Zoloft, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. It is not known whether sertraline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby."
And this site explains what is meant by Category C classification:
"Category C refers to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals automatically are given a pregnancy Category C rating."
So there is a possible risk here to take Zoloft while pregnant and what they are saying is that...are you willing to take this risk?
This is something only you can decide.
Thank you for your question.
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WOW!! Thank-you so much for the information. Yes, my docter dose know that I am pregnant, it was actually my midwife that percribed it to me. I do not believe that I will be starting the Zoloft any time soon, I think I'll try anything but meds until after the baby is born. Thank-you again.