National sponsor of the Motherisk Program
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1-877-327-4636 Alcohol and Substance
1-800-436-8477 Morning Sickness
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1-877-439-2744 Motherisk Helpline
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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Resources
Current Studies at Motherisk
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Study seeks women between 4 and 12 weeks in their pregnancy with morning sickness (NVP)
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Pregnancy in Women with Multiple Sclerosis
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Environmental Exposures and Children's Health
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Alcohol Use during Pregnancy
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Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study
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Folic Acid Before and During Pregnancy
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Lamisil in Pregnancy
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Meridia in Pregnancy
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Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project
Anxiolytics
Can we use anxiolytics during pregnancy without anxiety?: In moderation
Antonio Addis, PHARMD; Lisa R. Dolovich, PHARMD; Thomas R. Einarson, PHD; Gideon Koren, MD, FRCPCMarch, 2000
QUESTION
One of my patients suffers from anxiety and was using lorazepam to treat it. When she became pregnant, she stopped the medication immediately, but now she is worried about the potential effect on the baby because she was using the drug just after conception. Is this class of drugs safe during pregnancy? What should she do if she needs antianxiety treatment during the rest of her pregnancy?
ANSWER
Evidence to date from cohort studies did not identify a notable association between use of benzodiazepines and increased risk of major malformations, including oral cleft. In contrast, data from case-control studies show a slightly increased risk of oral cleft. Hence, level 2 ultrasonography is recommended to rule out visible forms of cleft lip. Using benzodiazepines late in pregnancy could cause withdrawal syndrome in newborns.
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