Sleeping Pills & Pregnancy: Risks of Nitravet (Nitrazepam)

Question
DEAR DOCTOR RIGHT NOW I'M 10.5 WEEKS PREGNANT AND I'M HAVING TERRIBLE SLEEP PROBLEM DURING THE NIGHT. I AM TAKING A SLEEPING PILL CALLED NITRAVET10mg [NITRAZEPAM] BENZODIAZEPINE. ARE THERE CHANCES THAT I'LL GET A MISCARRIAGE IF I TAKE THE ABOVE SLEEPING PILL? PLEASE ADVISE.

Answer
There are no adequate reports or well controlled studies of benzodiazepines on pregnant women. The available information is insufficient to determine whether the potential benefits of benzadiazepines to the mother  outweigh the risks to the fetus.  Benzodiazepines are rapidly transferred across the placenta during early and late pregnancy and first trimester exposure to this class of drugs has been linked to an increased risk of anomalies. While there are no well controlled studies in human fetuses, the overall experience has been reassuring.Symptoms in babies vary from mild sedation, hypotonia, reluctance to suck,cyanosis, impaired metabolic responses to cold,and "floppy baby syndrome" to name a few. It is a category D drug and is not recommended unless the benefits justify the potential risk.