What You Need to Know About Taking Pamelor While Pregnant

Is it okay to take Pamelor while pregnant?

When a woman becomes pregnant, everything she meets can affect the fetus developing in her womb. For this reason, it is very important pregnant women monitor everything they put into their systems and avoid using drugs as much as possible. This includes abstaining from using prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illegal substances while pregnant. However, some doctors may prescribe pregnant women certain medications if the benefits of the medications outweigh the risks to the fetus.

Pamelor is a prescription medication used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants. Common side effects associated with Pamelor include fast heart rate, blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, weight loss, dizziness, tingly feelings, weakness, poor coordination, unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, ringing of the ears, breast swelling, decreased sex drive, and difficulty achieving orgasms. All of these should go away as your body adjusts to the medication. If these common Pamelor side effects do not go away or get worse, promptly let your doctor know about which effects are ailing you.

Although they are uncommon, be sure to notify your doctor right away if you experience the following severe side effects associated with using Pamelor: abnormal heart rhythm, low blood pressure, blurred vision, confusion, difficult or painful urination, hallucinations, nervousness, quivering, Parkinson’s disease symptoms, and slow heartbeat.

If you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant and have questions about whether using Pamelor during this time is safe, set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss all your options. Usually, Pamelor is not recommended for use by pregnant women because the effects of the medication on the fetus are unstudied. However, some doctors may find it necessary to prescribe Pamelor to pregnant women if necessary. For instance, a woman who is severely depressed may benefit from using Pamelor because her health will be better while on the medication than without Pamelor. Some people who suffer from depression have issues caring for themselves, and this is not ideal for women who are pregnant and have the fetus depending on their personal health.

Is Pamelor harmful to your baby? Common side effects

Currently, there is not enough research to determine whether using Pamelor or other tricyclic antidepressants during pregnancy will cause birth defects or other abnormalities in newborns. In addition, animal studies have produced inconclusive evidence as to whether Pamelor is harmful to the fetus. Because there is a lack of research on this topic, you should only use Pamelor if your doctor has recommended it to you.

If you are currently using Pamelor and become pregnant, let your doctor know right away. You also need to determine whether you want to continue using Pamelor during pregnancy. Even if you no longer want to use this medication while pregnant, do not stop taking Pamelor suddenly. Abruptly stopping your Pamelor treatment will put you at risk for Pamelor withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, chills, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. These withdrawal symptoms can negatively affect yours and the fetus’ health. If you no longer want to use Pamelor, ask your doctor about tapering off the medication so you can avoid withdrawal.

If you no longer want to use Pamelor, you may want to consider other SSRI antidepressants to use while pregnant. Typically, SSRIs are considered to be the safest antidepressants to use during pregnancy. Examples of SSRI antidepressants include Zoloft, Prozac, and Celesta. If you have less severe depression, you may want to seek treatment that does not include medication. Finding a daily routine, getting enough exercise, eating healthy, setting goals, and getting enough sleep are all ways you can combat your depression. However, you should not stop using antidepressants if you suffer from severe depression.

You should also have a conversation with your doctor if you plan to breastfeed while using Pamelor. This is important, as many substances can be passed into breast milk and therefore ingested by newborns. Make sure you discuss all of the pros and cons of breastfeeding while using Pamelor with your doctor. Your provider may advise you to avoid breastfeeding if you want to use Pamelor for your depression.

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