Conflicting advice on meds from OB and pharmacist?

[Ashley1021]

I had my routine check up today! (17 weeks) everything looks great, but I've been suffering from terrible insomnia. My doctor prescribed hydroxizine(?) for sleep and my anxiety. I went to the pharmacy and picked it up. The pharmacist refused to give me my meds, claiming that no doctor that knew their patient was pregnant would give this. I explained to her my doctor was well aware. She tried to contact my doctor as this is "category c, and some studies have shown defects." I trust my OB more than anything. She's been my doctor since I was 12. She finally gave me them promising that I wouldn't take them till I've heard back from my doc.. I called and am waiting. Soooo, what do you think? Would my doctor prescribe me something dangerous to my baby?

 

[bumpbear]

Pharmacists are far more educated on what medications are safe for which patients as their education and training is in studying medicines, not illnesses. One of their key responsibilities is to double check doctor's prescriptions against a patient's med conditions to make sure they are safe to be taken. They are not there just to blindly dispense medications on doctors orders. I would see what the OB has to say after the pharmacist raises red flags with them.

I did a quick google search and saw this article about the medication you mentioned and pregnancy:

https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/hydroxyzine.html

It seems as though whilst its not definitely unsafe, there are risk factors and all other 'safe' medications should be explored as options first. Perhaps the OB will be able to suggest a safer risk free option for you?

 

[Scout]

I would trust the pharmacist over my doctor regarding medicine.

 

[mamapavlic]

oh my goodness! i just had the same thing happen.
my obg told me to go ahead and start taking my fluoxetine again, since the only time it can be harmful during pregnancy is first and part of early 2nd trimester.
my prenatal depression's been terrible, and i've really needed back on it, so i was so relieved when she gave me the a-okay.
however, when i went to pick up my refill at the pharmacy, the woman told me i was an irresponsible little girl who was going to selfishly hurt my baby.
i'm a very well-read and educated person with a mother who herself is a pharmacist. the only true worry about fluoxetine this late in the pregnancy is if your child will somehow pick it up through breastfeeding which isn't even a worry for me because i've already decided not to breastfeed.
i'd do your research. lots of medical resources are available online, so read up on studies of the medication and then, bring up the whole situation to your obgyn again.
best wishes, dear!

 

[Julz27]

Hey, I just saw this post and I'm a pharmacist so thought I'd comment.

Ashley, there are other drugs that are safer to use in the same class. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and the only one known to cause problems in animal studies so personally I would want to avoid it and speak to your doctor again. There are plenty others that are just as good that are safer. Doctors do make mistakes and there's so much to remember about drugs in pregnancy that it's easy to forget that a whole drug class isn't always safe just cos some of them are.

Mamapavlic - fluoxetine is used all the time in pregnancy. It's all about benefits outweighing the risks. And like you said, most of the risks are passed for you so if you need it you should absolutely take it.

I'm really sorry the pharmacists you've both dealt with have not exactly been very helpful or just been downright shockingly rude! We do spend a lot of time double checking doctors to minimise the risk of harm, but we should never scare people or make them feel bad for taking medication. We're supposed to help, not make things worse!

 

[armywife11]

I would trust the pharmacist over my doctor regarding medicine.

Same here. I have had pharmacist catch doctors prescribing me drugs containing aspirin when all my charts clearly state I have a severe allergy to it.

 

[MichelleW]

I would trust the pharmacist over the doctor as my doctors have made mistakes a few times, luckily I know my pharmacist as well and she would never be rude like that, but I would rather her question the doctor and keep you and your baby safe x

 

[Belle2528]

How did you get on with this? Xxx

 

[Ashley1021]

I'm still having some conflict. I spoke to my ob, and she still says it's safe to take in second and third tri. And she apologized from the scare of the pharmacist. The medicine bottle has a wide array of use. "Take 1-2 capsules every six hours as needed for Braxton hicks, anxiety or sleep."

 

[N27murray]

If you really trust your ob then go for it. I trust my Dr very much and I know for a fact he wouldn't take any risks. If your Dr still stands by her decision even after being questioned and rethinking it then I would trust its safe....like I said, that's me.