Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Is The Dosage Of Zoloft For Anxiety During Pregnancy?
Question: Am pregnant 36 weeks+ 3 days , case of Generalized anxiety disorder on zoloft 100mg but since 2 weeks i decrease it to 50 mg once daily .. Shall i stay on this dose till birth or bring it down to 25 mg od to prevent the baby from withdrawel ?? 25mg is lowest dose will it help me to control my anxiety ??? Thanks
Brief Answer:
You may continue on 50mg.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
The decision differs from patient to patient. The fact is,in case if we drastically reduce the dosage of zoloft, then we need to control the anxiety symptoms , if any, with benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have a relatively more worse withdrawal effect on the baby. Earlier you required 100mg to control your anxiety symptoms, and 25 mg will be too low a dose to expect it to control the symptoms. Further exacerbation of anxiety during the labour can also be troublesome. Fifty mg is a reasonable dose and should not lead to any significant withdrawal symptom on the baby. You may continue on 50mg.
But keep your pediatrician informed about your medicine intake so that he is well prepared to handle the withdrawal effect in the baby if any.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
You may continue on 50mg.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
The decision differs from patient to patient. The fact is,in case if we drastically reduce the dosage of zoloft, then we need to control the anxiety symptoms , if any, with benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have a relatively more worse withdrawal effect on the baby. Earlier you required 100mg to control your anxiety symptoms, and 25 mg will be too low a dose to expect it to control the symptoms. Further exacerbation of anxiety during the labour can also be troublesome. Fifty mg is a reasonable dose and should not lead to any significant withdrawal symptom on the baby. You may continue on 50mg.
But keep your pediatrician informed about your medicine intake so that he is well prepared to handle the withdrawal effect in the baby if any.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr can i take xanax after birth ? Or during breast feeding ?
Brief Answer:
Yes but with precautions
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, you may take xanax but some precautions need to be taken. Same are the precautions for zoloft as well. You can feed the baby and then with an empty breast you can take the medicines immediately. Whatever milk collects hereforth for next 2-3 hours is probably having medicines and can be emptied and discarded. The next fresh fill can be used to feed your baby.
You can tide-over this period by feeding your baby the stored or expressed milk.
Mostly this would be safe. If at all you feel your baby is having excessive sedation then you need to reconsider taking xanax.
Until then there is no issue.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Yes but with precautions
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, you may take xanax but some precautions need to be taken. Same are the precautions for zoloft as well. You can feed the baby and then with an empty breast you can take the medicines immediately. Whatever milk collects hereforth for next 2-3 hours is probably having medicines and can be emptied and discarded. The next fresh fill can be used to feed your baby.
You can tide-over this period by feeding your baby the stored or expressed milk.
Mostly this would be safe. If at all you feel your baby is having excessive sedation then you need to reconsider taking xanax.
Until then there is no issue.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear dr . Ive planned for c_section can i take xanax the night before the surgery .. So i can sleep and can be calmer ? Low dose of 0.25mcg
Brief Answer:
Yes it can be taken
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you may take the low dose 0.25mg of xanax the night before surgery.Do keep your anesthetist informed.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Yes it can be taken
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you may take the low dose 0.25mg of xanax the night before surgery.Do keep your anesthetist informed.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
