Question My husband and I have been very careful about not getting pregnant, condoms and the pill but I just found out I am pregnant. The biggest problem that I am worried about is that I have been taking Xanax to deal with another loss. The minute i found out I stopped taking it, I am 5 1/2 weeks pregnant, should I not have this baby? I am scared of the side effects of this medicine. Any advice would be great. Thank you.
AnswerDear Anna,
Xanax is not a medication that can be taken safely during pregnancy. It is an FDA Pregnancy Risk Category D drug which means that "there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective)".
However, if you stopped taking the medication at 5 weeks or before, the risk to the baby is most likely minimal. At 5 weeks gestation the embryo is about the size of a sesame seed and all that is contained within the uterus this early is the amniotic sac, the yolk sac, the embryo with a neural tube, and a primitive placenta. Not alot of development has gone on yet to be overly affected by the Xanax. The important thing is that you have stopped use and the baby is not exposed from here on out.
*Please note*
If you have been taking Xanax for a long period of time, you do need to call the prescribing doctor or your OB doctor to let them know you have stopped taking it. Xanax is a medication that your body can become dependent on and you may need to withdraw off of it gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as blurred vision, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, muscle twitching, numbness or tingling, or increased sensations. For extreme withdrawal, even seizures can occur. So do call your doctor to let them know the situation and get appropriate medical advice for your particular case.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
