Taking Surmontil While Pregnant: What You Need to Know

Is It Okay to Take Surmontil While Pregnant?

Surmontil is a brand-name tricyclic antidepressant. The generic name of this drug is trimipramine. It’s used to treat depression as well as insomnia, psychosis and anxiety disorders. It has sedative and antipsychotic effects, although they’re usually mild. Surmontil’s primary use, however, is for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Drowsiness and dry mouth are some of the most common side effects of Surmontil. Side effects like constipation, blurred vision, and a high heart rate are also possible. Tricyclic antidepressants like Surmontil are believed to affect certain brain chemicals. These antidepressants were some of the first to come on the market, but they’re not used very often. Many tricyclic antidepressants have been replaced with newer medications with fewer side effects.

Before taking an antidepressant like Surmontil, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider about any other substances that you use. Other drugs, over-the-counter medicines and even herbal supplements can have adverse interactions with antidepressants like Surmontil.

So, is it okay to take Surmontil while pregnant? The question of whether or not it’s safe to take antidepressants like Surmontil during pregnancy is one that should only be answered by a healthcare provider. The active ingredient in Surmontil, trimipramine, is a category C pregnancy drug in the U.S. Category C drugs have shown some evidence of harmful effects on animal fetuses, but there aren’t enough well-controlled human research studies to determine whether the drug is safe or not for the fetus. With a category C drug like Surmontil, a doctor will look at what it’s used to treat, and consider the possible risks and the benefits it can bring. Since Surmontil is antidepressant, a doctor might weigh the possible risks of untreated depression when making their decision.

Will Taking Surmontil Cause Birth Defects?

Most research on the use of tricyclic antidepressants indicates there are minimal risks for birth defects or lasting effects on a child who was exposed to these medicines during pregnancy. For the most part, if a woman’s symptoms of depression should be managed with medication, Surmontil might be approved by her doctor. Certain tricyclic antidepressants may more advisable for use during pregnancy than Surmontil, however. For example, nortriptyline is one that a doctor may recommend.

It’s important that a pregnant woman not stop or start an antidepressant like Surmontil without first talking to her healthcare provider. Both can pose risks if not done under the supervision of a medical professional. There is a risk of babies being born dependent on antidepressants who were exposed in the womb. In this case, the baby might experience discontinuation symptoms after delivery. These would need to be monitored at the hospital. Overall, there’s no way to say for sure that Surmontil wouldn’t increase the risk of birth defects, nor can it be said that it’s absolutely safe.

Alternatives to Taking Surmontil While Pregnant

Untreated depression can cause its own set of complications during pregnancy. For example, if a woman has major depression, she may not go to her prenatal appointments or get the nutrition she needs. There are some links between untreated depression during pregnancy and low birth weight and preterm birth. A pregnant woman should speak with her doctor about whether or not to continue taking Surmontil while pregnant, or consider using another type of medicine. For women with mild depression symptoms, it may be possible to stop using medication during pregnancy gradually. In these instances, a doctor might advise talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Some pregnant women who have mild depression symptoms may also benefit from lifestyle changes.

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