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Wellbutrin and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Wellbutrin as a pregnancy Category C medication, which means that it did appear to cause harm to the fetus in previous animal studies. When Wellbutrin was given to pregnant rabbits, there was an increased risk of birth defects and lower fetal weights. However, a pregnant woman may still take Wellbutrin if its benefits outweigh the risks to her unborn child. If you are taking Wellbutrin and pregnancy occurs, be sure to tell your healthcare provider.

 

Wellbutrin and Pregnancy: An Overview

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

Wellbutrin 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 Wellbutrin was given to pregnant rabbits, there was an increased risk of birth defects and lower fetal weights. In humans, preliminary studies suggest that Wellbutrin 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 may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 

Wellbutrin and Pregnancy: Summary

If you are taking Wellbutrin and pregnancy occurs (or you are thinking of becoming pregnant), let your healthcare provider know.
 Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and the risks of taking Wellbutrin during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;