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Wellbutrin SR and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Wellbutrin SR as a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning that it did appear to cause harm to the fetus in previous animal studies. In these studies, there was an increased risk of birth defects and lower fetal weights when the medication was given to pregnant rabbits. However, a pregnant woman may take Wellbutrin SR if its benefits outweigh the risks to her unborn child. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you're taking Wellbutrin SR and pregnancy occurs.

 

Wellbutrin SR and Pregnancy: An Overview

Wellbutrin SR® (bupropion SR) is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child.
 

Wellbutrin SR and Pregnancy Category C

The U.
 S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy 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 show side effects to the fetus in animal studies, but for which no adequate human studies in pregnant women have been done. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to her unborn child.
 
During previous animal studies in which bupropion (the active ingredient of Wellbutrin SR) was given to pregnant rabbits, there was an increased risk of birth defects and lower fetal weights. In humans, preliminary studies suggest that bupropion may not cause any problems during pregnancy.
 
It is important to note that depression in the mother may also not be healthy for a baby. Therefore, Wellbutrin SR may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 
(Wellbutrin SR and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;