NEFAZODONE
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.
"Official medicines" is the best online drugstore.World’s leading meds delivered to your door – and you don’t even need a prescription! Only certified, first class drugs on offer! Buy more and spend less with our great discount system. |
Name: NEFAZODONE
Class: Antidepressant
Risk Factor: CM
Fetal Risk Summary
Nefazodone is structurally unrelated to other antidepressants. Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
No teratogenic effects were observed in reproductive toxicity studies involving rats and rabbits dosed, respectively, at 5 and 6 times the maximum human daily dose in mg/m2 (MHDD) (1). Increased early pup mortality was observed, however, when dosing (at 5 times the MHDD) in rats began during gestation and continued until weaning. Moreover, decreased pup weights were seen at this and lower doses. The no-effect dose for pup mortality was 1.3 times the human dose in mg/m2 (1).
No published or unpublished reports describing the use of nefazodone in human pregnancy have been located. Because of the postmarketing survey data available, fluoxetine may be preferable to nefazodone if therapy during pregnancy is required.
Breast Feeding Summary
Nefazodone is excreted into human breast milk (2,3). A 1999 report described an analytical method for determining the concentrations of nefazodone and its metabolites in human plasma and milk (2). In addition, in one woman taking 200 mg twice daily, the paired concentrations of nefazodone in milk and plasma (trough) were 57 and 617 ng/mL, respectively; the milk:plasma ratio was 0.09. In two other subjects, one taking 50 mg twice daily and the other 50 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the evening, the trough plasma levels were <50 ng/mL, whereas the paired milk concentrations were 687 and 213 ng/mL, respectively (2).
A 35-year-old woman gave birth to a premature female infant at 27 weeks' gestation (3). The infant was fed the mother's breast milk from a bottle while in the hospital. The mother was started on nefazodone, 200 mg in the morning and 100 mg at night, because of depression 7 weeks after delivery. One week later, the mother began breast feeding. At 9 weeks of age, the 2.1-kg infant was readmitted to the hospital because of drowsiness, lethargy, failure to maintain body temperature, and poor feeding. Breast feeding was stopped 1 week later and the infant's symptoms resolved gradually over 72 hours. Maternal blood and breast milk were collected immediately before the 200-mg morning dose and at intervals up to 6 hours (for milk) or 12 hours (for blood). The milk:plasma ratio (based on area under the concentration curve over 12 hours) for nefazodone was 0.27, and 0.02–0.19 for three metabolites that were identified. The maximum concentrations in milk and plasma were 358 ng/mL (at 3 hours) and 1270 ng/mL (at 1 hour), respectively. The estimated infant dose, relative to the weight-adjusted total daily maternal dose, was 0.3% for nefazodone and 0.45% for the parent drug plus metabolites. The investigators speculated that the sedative effects may have resulted from reduced clearance of the drug secondary to the infant's prematurity (3).
The long-term effects on neurobehavior and development from exposure to antidepressants during a period of rapid central nervous system development have not been studied. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the effects of other antidepressants on the nursing infant to be unknown, although they may be of concern (4).
"Official medicines" is the best online drugstore.World’s leading meds delivered to your door – and you don’t even need a prescription! Only certified, first class drugs on offer! Buy more and spend less with our great discount system. |
References
- Product information. Serzone. Bristol-Myers Squibb, 1996.
- Dodd S, Buist A, Burrows GD, Maguire KP, Norman TR. Determination of nefazodone and its pharmacologically active metabolites in human blood plasma and breast milk by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 1999;730:249–55.
- Yapp P, Ilett KF, Kristensen JH, Hackett LP, Paech MJ, Rampono J. Drowsiness and poor feeding in a breast-fed infant: association with nefazodone and its metabolites. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:1269–72.
- Committee on Drugs, American Academy of Pediatrics. The transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics 1994;93:137–50.
Q&A about Nefazodone
Nefazodone is generic for Serzone. What are the symptoms when the medication is SUDDENLY stopped?
Is it simply a mood stabilizer or can it elevate a persons mood that has sever depression? Or what other medications can elevate a persons mood instead of making them feel numb.
Thank you for helping!
Because of concerns of hepatotoxicity, the sale of the antidepressant nefazodone hydrochloride (Serzone) will be discontinued by the manufacturer effective Nov. 27, 2003. Since the drug's introduction in 1994, there have been 51 Canadian reports of adverse hepatic events, including jaundice, hepatitis and hepatocellular necrosis. In 2 of these cases the patients subsequently underwent liver transplantation. Also, an article published earlier this year found an unexpectedly high number of reports of hepatic injury associated with nefazodone in the World Health Organization's database of adverse drug reactions.
Then you should switch the treatment to an alternative therapy ASAP.
If you are taking nefazodone and show signs or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction, then the drug should be stopped immediately and you shpuld be investigated for other potential causes. In addition, You should be closely followed for progression of hepatic problems. The majority of reported cases of hepatotoxicity associated with nefazodone occurred within the first 4 months of starting the drug.
A revolutionary, fun, 5 MINUTE DAILY, motivational exercise, designed to dramatically elevate mood, eliminate unwanted habits and addictions, reduce pain and boost the immune system, WITHOUT MEDICATION OR DRUGS.
So, no matter how you feel, or "where you're at", remember, "mood" follows thoughts and behavior. So maybe, you too (or a loved one), can control your moods without medication or street drugs! Maybe you (or a friend) can weaken or even eliminate a troublesome illness by boosting the immune system. Maybe you (or an acquaintance) have the potential to feel "on top of the world" everyday of your life, chemical free, who knows!
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause depression. Correcting deficiencies, when present, often relieves depression. However, even if a deficiency cannot be demonstrated, nutritional supplementation may improve symptoms in selected groups of depressed patients.
There you have it! If you like these ideas; TAKE A RISK! , (after consulting with your mental health professional), and get a LITTLE HIGH DAILY, (with ACCELERATED-STATE CONDITIONING that is!)..and I'll see you on the UPBEAT!!
"Pregnancy and Withdrawl: Safe use of Nefazodone during pregnancy or lactation has not been established; therefore, its use in pregnancy, in nursing mothers or in women of childbearing potential requires that the benefits of treatment be weighed against the possible risks to mother and child. "
source - http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/...
He said I am possibly bipolar...WOW does anyone take this? Did it help[.. I am beside myself . I fee like a freak now that he said this
Regarding nefazodone (Serzone) - it has helped people, I personally was on the medication for over 5 years. My liver enzymes were slowly rising and I was switched first to Lexapro, then to Wellbutrin XL without any problems. That's nefazodone's biggest health concern - liver damage. You'll need blood tests to monitor any problems while taking nefazodone, but you'll need blood tests with ANY medication at first. You'll have to take any medication for 4-8 weeks to see any benefits.
If you still are worried about taking Serzone or about your condition, seek a second opinion. Besides myself, I know many folks with bipolar disorder and we're not rubber-room crazy. We suffer from a mood disorder - we're moody people! Bipolar is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis, there are many forms, some more severe than others. A third of sufferers also abuse drugs and alcohol, which when present must also be addressed.
Bottom line, you're not alone. Seek additional advice and have faith in your doctor - if not, seek another one.
Be well.
Rick the Pharmacist
Take Serzone for instance. Why is it unsafe but its generic equivalent of nefazodone is still available?
Basically, the benefit outweighs the risk for small companies, but not for the giants. Sad huh?
Hi there,
I have been wanting to titrate off nefazodone for years.
Does anyone have experience with the withdrawal from this medication?
I have been taking 600 mg (divided doses) q day.
What can I expect? Any known cases of death from withdrawal?
Is it better to do it on an impatient basis?
I took it for severe panic attacks. I am worried that the attacks will return BIGTIME.
Any and all information will be helpful.
Thanks,
Christine
Whatever meds you're on, you should NOT stop/reduce them without doctor's advice! for your own sake!
i have to start anti depressant which works more both of them can any body tell me
It works on two brain chemicals rather than only one like Prozac
Nefazodone's claimed advantages over other antidepressants include reduced possibility of disturbed sleep or sexual dysfunction, and ability to treat some patients who did not respond to other antidepressant drugs.
