Sertraline

I am 28 weeks pregnant and on sertraline. I have major depression and anxiety disorders so to keep my sanity- I have to be on it. My OB and my psychiatrist ok'd it. I went off it right before I got pregnant and when I got pregnant, my mood disorder became unmanageable. I have no choice, and I'm comfortable with my decision. People who do not suffer from substantial mood disorders can tell you not to take the drugs b/c they have not personally experienced the constant pain, misery and anxiety.

No one can predict a medication's side effects.

What I can tell you is that the generic is not exactly the same as the brand. It has the same active ingredients, but the formulation is never the same as from the original manufacturer (Pfizer, in this case).

Pfizer's website says that there are possible side effects during pregnancy and to have a discussion with your physician.

Having been in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time, I'd not advise you to take it unless you feel comfortable. I opted to stop most of my medications during pregnancy unless the FDA had specifically approved them for that use (Zoloft is pregnancy category C).

This is the professional reference approved by the FDA regarding the product. Search for "Pregnancy" to see the information. It is a clinical document, so you may need your pharmacist/physician to review it with you pending your comfortability with scientific/clinical information:
http://media.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_zoloft.pdf

I'd ask if there are any antidepressants that are approved for use during pregnancy and see if switching helps you.

If it were me, I'd discontinue and see how you do without the medication in the best interest of the baby. If it's unmanageable, I'd work with your physicians on finding the safest possible product on the market. Again, there shouldn't be a reason that the generic version has a different effect on pregnancy, but it is NOT the same as the branded medication, so the only information available is from what Pfizer submitted when they were researching/marketing the branded drug.

I continued to take sertraline during my entire second pregnancy (although my doctor did decrease the amount I was taking from 200mg to 100mg) and I have a beautiful, healthy 15 month old daughter! If I were you I would continue taking it since you already know that you need it and we both know what pregnancy can do to our hormones. Good luck with your decision and ttc#2!

I was on it during my second pregnancy and everything was fine. Baby was breech and had to have a C section but other than that he was completely normal and healthy. I researched it too and the possible side effects from it seemed minor and uncommon so I decided to continue taking it, but I did cut my dose down a little. Pregnancy can only boost those feelings when you have all those hormones floating around in your body, but you have to decide with your Dr if you think the benefit outweighs the risk.

I just went to the OB the other day for my yearly! We will soon be trying for baby #2 and I take sertraline. SO I asked if I could take it while pregnant. My OB said... she would advise me to take it only the first 10 weeks and the last 10 weeks, but not the weeks in the middle. She did say it is the safest anti depressant/ anxiety medication to use while pregnant! So I was happy to hear that.

good luck and best wishes!!!