In animal studies on mirtazapine and pregnancy, there was an increased risk of miscarriage, lower birth weights, and a decrease in survival rates. As a result, the FDA has classified it as a pregnancy Category C medication. However, depression in the mother may affect the baby, so if you are taking mirtazapine and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits and risks before making a recommendation.
Mirtazapine and Pregnancy: An Overview
Mirtazapine (
Remeron®) is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that it could potentially cause harm to your unborn child.
Mirtazapine 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 show side effects to the fetus in animal studies but for which no human studies in pregnant women have been done. However, 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 mirtazapine to pregnant rats increased the chance of miscarriage. Mirtazapine also caused low birth weights and decreased the survival rates of newborn rats.
Final Thoughts on Mirtazapine and Pregnancy
If you are taking mirtazapine and pregnancy occurs, or if you are thinking of becoming pregnant while taking the drug, let your healthcare provider know.
Depression in the mother may not be healthy for a baby, so your healthcare provider will consider the benefits and risks before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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