Serzone and Pregnancy

In animal studies on Serzone and pregnancy, the antidepressant caused low birth weight and decreased the survival of newborns when it was given to pregnant rats. Although there are possible risks involved with using Serzone during pregnancy, healthcare providers may still prescribe the drug to pregnant women because depression in the mother may be unhealthy for a baby. If you are taking Serzone and pregnancy occurs, let your healthcare provider know right away so he or she can discuss the risks and benefits of Serzone with you.

 

Serzone and Pregnancy: An Overview

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

Serzone 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 have not been studied in pregnant women but show side effects to the fetus in animal studies. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
In animal studies, giving Serzone to pregnant rats decreased the weight and survival of the newborn rats. One small study in humans suggests that Serzone does not cause birth defects or any other problems (such as low birth weight).
 
It is important to note that depression in the mother may also not be healthy for a baby. Therefore, Serzone may be given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Serzone 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;