New to Forum/Is Zofran Pregnancy Safe

[MrsMedina]

Hi ladies,
I just joined the forum last night. I will be seven weeks along on Monday. This is my very first baby and first pregnancy. Since before five weeks, I have been extremely nauseous, from the second I wake up, to the second I go to bed. I never throw up, just always feel like I have an awful stomach flu. My doctor prescribed me the generic of Zofran for my nausea. I took one yesterday and it made me feel amazing. It completely took away the nausea! It's amazing. BUT since taking it yesterday, I have looked up if it's pregnancy safe (which my doctor says it is), and I guess they had previously done a study in the US in 200 women and they thought it was linked with cleft pallet. Since they, they have done a study in Demark on 600,000 women and said that is it NOT linked to any birth defects and has been ruled to be safe. I just feel worried with their first reaction to the drug. What are your thoughts? Has anyone taken it? I'm worried. I haven't taken it again, but I want to. Please let me know if any of you have taken it and what your doctors said about it.

 

[sun]

I'm surprised they gave it to you without trying anything else (especially since you aren't vomiting) as it's one of the strongest MS meds out there, and isn't routinely given everywhere. It's a drug commonly given to cancer patients, but also used for pregnant women who have hyperemesis gravidarum (expreme MS where they vomit continuously, can't take any fluids, and are in and out of hospital). Whereabouts are you? If you're concerned there are many other anti-nausea meds that aren't as strong as zofran and are routinely given for MS. My friend was on zofran for both her pregnancies and her sons are in perfect health though! But she had hyperemesis. The danger to her health from extreme weight loss (also she had throat and stomach bleeding from excessive vomiting and was hospitalized weekly for dehydration) way outweighed the potential risks of being on zofran.

 

[MrsMedina]

I'm surprised they gave it to you without trying anything else (especially since you aren't vomiting) as it's one of the strongest MS meds out there, and isn't routinely given everywhere. It's a drug commonly given to cancer patients, but also used for pregnant women who have hyperemesis gravidarum (expreme MS where they vomit continuously, can't take any fluids, and are in and out of hospital). Whereabouts are you? If you're concerned there are many other anti-nausea meds that aren't as strong as zofran and are routinely given for MS. My friend was on zofran for both her pregnancies and her sons are in perfect health though! But she had hyperemesis. The danger to her health from extreme weight loss (also she had throat and stomach bleeding from excessive vomiting and was hospitalized weekly for dehydration) way outweighed the potential risks of being on zofran.

Just an FYI that I'm on the 4MG. (They also have it in 8MG.) They did have me try B-6 before the Zofran, which actually made it worse. I live in Massachusetts. I do know what it's usually used for, and my doctor said they use it now in many pregnant women and that it's completely safe. I just hesitate, because of what I read about the first testing...

 

[sun]

I'm in Canada so the thought here is that it is used as a worst-case scenario. It doesn't have nearly the testing with pregnant women as some other drugs, so if the MS is severe enough, then it is prescribed. I know that in the US they are way more lenient with drugs though. Here the drug of choice is something called diclectin - which is specifically for morning sickness and has been effective for most women I know. I don't know if that's what they use there though. Other US mamas might chime in as to what has helped them!

 

[MrsMedina]

I'm in Canada so the thought here is that it is used as a worst-case scenario. It doesn't have nearly the testing with pregnant women as some other drugs, so if the MS is severe enough, then it is prescribed. I know that in the US they are way more lenient with drugs though. Here the drug of choice is something called diclectin - which is specifically for morning sickness and has been effective for most women I know. I don't know if that's what they use there though. Other US mamas might chime in as to what has helped them!

I might have to ask them for a new prescription just for peace of mind. I'll try not to take it, but it's so amazing! I haven't been able to get off the couch for weeks now, and I have about six loads of dirty laundry scattered all over the house. I guess it will have to just stay there!

 

[little moomin]

A 200 study vs 60000 is just incomparable, i would completely disregard the initial study often when you get into it you find the researchers had a motive for coming up with unusual results which other studies don't support

 

[little moomin]

600000 sorry. If you search hard enough you will find dangerous effects of any drug, it isn't in your doctors interests to damage your child

 

[azure girl]

Moomin is right, 200 is such a small number in a study. It brings to mind the vaccine study of a handful of kids that said they caused autism. Not saying vaccines are 100% safe, but no one has duplicated that study. Typically if a study cannot be duplicated, it gets thrown out by medical and scientific communities.

 

[lola85]

I'm in the uk and have been taking zofran (ondansetron) since being 5weeks for hyperemesis I'm now 28weeks and so far baby is perfectly healthy. I was also prescribed other anti nausea meds but its taken quite a combination to find what works for me as well as many admissions to hospital. If you need it my advice would be to take it, my consultant here has said it's been used for many years in pregnancy but obviously not many drugs are tested on pregnant women because its not ethical and who would risk it.
Hope you feel better soon!

 

[ShelbyLC]

I took Zofran daily for more than 6 weeks when I was preegnant with my twins and they're perfectly healthy.

 

[Haylee.]

Zofran is pregnancy safe but I far as I knew it was better to wait until the 12 week mark. I had severe morning sickness with my first pregnancy and I was prescribed maxolon tablets, they did work however I had HG so nothing worked completely for me.

If you are concerned about the zofran could you go back to your doctor and ask if there is an alternate medication like Metoclopramide? (maxolon)

Good luck! I hope you feel better x

 

[Haylee.]

I think Metoclopramide is known as Reglan in the USA x

 

[shortnstumpy]

I'm an RN and asked the pharmacist in the ward yesterday about Zofran. Basically it is a level b drug meaning it hasn't been through extensive testing for pregnancy so should only be used cautiously. Stemetil is only safe in first trimester and can cause birth defects if used after first trimester. The only drug that has been extensively tested and passed safe for use in pregnancy is maxalon.

 

[FarmersWife5]

I am also on Zofran. Generic version as well. I waited until this last week.. when I couldn't even hold water down. I feel like a completely different person now! I feel WAY better! My OB has assured me it is okay to take! And I trust her! I know she wouldn't get me anything that would harm baby.. Yes no medication is going to be 100% okay. But I trust my OB on this..

And to the comment of it was made for cancer patients etc. You would be AMAZED at how many drugs were actually intended for another use. It happens all of the time! They make a drug.. and realize it also works for x y z. No big deal.

Good luck! I wouldn't worry though.

 

[lola85]

Ondansetron/zofran is only used in cancer patients to prevent/treat the nausea and vomiting which is a side effect of many chemotherapy drugs etc.