Trazodone and Pregnancy

In animal studies involving trazodone and pregnancy, the medication caused miscarriages and birth defects. However, the drug can still be prescribed to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that the benefits outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child. If you are taking trazodone and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits and risks before making a recommendation for your situation.

Trazodone HCl

Trazodone and Pregnancy: An Overview

Trazodone hydrochloride (Desyrel^®) is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child.

Trazodone and Pregnancy Category C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but that show side effects to the fetus in animal studies. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.

In animal studies, giving trazodone to pregnant rats increased the risk of miscarriage. When given to pregnant rabbits, the medication increased the risk of birth defects.

Final Thoughts on Trazodone and Pregnancy

If you are taking trazodone and pregnancy occurs, or if you are thinking of becoming pregnant while taking the drug, let your healthcare provider know.

Because depression in the mother may not be healthy for a baby, your healthcare provider will consider the benefits and risks of using the drug during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.