Is Prozac Safe To Use During Pregnancy?

Posted on Sat, 3 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 3 May 2014 Answered on

Sat, 31 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter-in-law takes Paxil, and she now in 5 weeks pregnant. Two doctors have advised her to wean off of Paxil [she was on 12 mg and now takes 5]. She has now been put on Prozac ----5mg along with the 5 mg. of Paxil. She says that she feels a little loopy. Is she doing the right thing?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Your doctor's advice is right. Prozac is safer than praxil for the baby. The sooner she is weaned off the paxil the better.

During switch over she will feel certain symptoms. But few weeks on new drug she should be able to feel better.

Keep her motivated with positive thoughts of new baby and good life. The new drug will surely help.

Regards
Dr. Mahesh Koregol

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (6 hours later)

This is a follow-up question. I can't remember how long the doctors told her to take 5 mg of Paxil along with 5mg of Prozac. She is very anxious about Paxil as she has been on it a long time. She tells me that the idea is to wean off of Paxil and then only take Prozac. How long should this go on?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
earlier the better

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Paxil is not good for baby. Generally it takes between one to 3 months to wean off.
Keeping pregnancy in mind the earlier she switches over the better.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (13 hours later)

What will Paxil do to baby? Why doesn't Prozac effect baby?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
defects

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Paxil is known to cause birth defects under experimental conditions with rats and animals. Hence it is classified as category D drug meaning not advisable during pregnancy to prevent possible harm to babies.

Where as prozac is found to be relatively safer without above defects.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar