Marplan and Pregnancy

Based on what is known about Marplan and pregnancy, it may not be safe to take Marplan during pregnancy. While a doctor may prescribe Marplan for a pregnant woman, he or she should only do so after carefully weighing the benefits of the medicine against the risks posed to the unborn child.

 

Marplan and Pregnancy: An Overview

For women who are pregnant, Marplan® (isocarboxazid) may not be safe. Marplan is used to treat depression and is part of a group of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
 

Marplan and Pregnancy Risk

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. However, the FDA has not given Marplan a pregnancy risk classification, as is common with older medications. There is very little information available about the use of Marplan during pregnancy.
 
There have been a few reports of birth defects and stillbirths in women taking Marplan, but it is not known if these problems were due to Marplan itself. It is not known how Marplan might affect a growing fetus. However, since MAOIs (like Marplan) are usually used as a last resort in people with severe depression, it may not be possible for some pregnant women to stop taking Marplan. It is important to understand that depression in the mother can also be damaging to the baby.
 

Recommendations for Using Marplan During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of taking Marplan 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;