Many women are interested in the question of whether it is possible to take the drug Phenazepam during pregnancy. This medicine is a sedative that can inhibit some functions of the nervous system. At the same time, the medication has a hypnotic effect.
This drug is prescribed by doctors as an anticonvulsant. It can relax the muscular system as much as possible and suppress reflexes. You can buy it at any pharmacy if you have a prescription from your doctor.
Is it possible to take Phenazepam during pregnancy?
In fact, this medicine is prescribed to pregnant women extremely rarely. It is recommended to be used only in cases where there is a threat to the life of the expectant mother.
"Phenazepam" during pregnancy can have a toxic effect on the body of the unborn baby, so there is a possibility of various defects at birth. Moreover, this risk will increase significantly if a woman began treatment with this drug in the first trimester of pregnancy (that is, in the earliest stages).
Thus, the use of Phenazepam during pregnancy (including the third trimester) is strongly not recommended. The components included in its composition can inhibit the functioning of the central nervous system of a newborn baby. In most cases, doctors will be able to select safer analogues for their patients.
One more nuance. If a woman uses the drug “Phenazepam” during pregnancy, from the beginning to the end of its course, then most often the child develops some kind of dependence syndrome. Therefore, after giving birth you will also have to deal with this problem.
Survey of women in labor
We checked a survey of women in labor who took Phenazepam during pregnancy, and here are their reviews.
I was prescribed one Phenazepam tablet the night before my upcoming planned Caesarean section. The fact is that I was very worried and worried about the outcome of the upcoming operation.
I slept well all night and woke up fresh and rested in the morning. Operation was successfully completed. A daughter was born (9 out of 10 on the Apgar scale). After anesthesia, I recovered quickly and easily. In my case, the drug deserves only positive reviews.
Victoria, 28 years old
Considering my age and great desire to have a second child, I had to be in confinement 4 times during the entire pregnancy. The fact is that 1.5 years before that I lost my baby at an impressive age. For me, every move, pill, and prescription mattered.
Now I understand that I took everything to heart. I should add that I have problems with blood pressure and excess weight, so my second pregnancy was a challenge for me.
Lying on guard in the same ward with a woman much younger than me in age, I had to see how she lost her baby. At that moment I literally experienced shock. She was much younger and healthier than me. I started getting hysterical. As doctors later explained, the risk of fetal loss has increased.
In order to calm me down, they injected me with Phenazepam. Later I found out that during pregnancy it is used extremely rarely. The drug helped, I quickly calmed down and slept. Subsequently, I gave birth to a healthy girl, however, and today I believe that you should not drink anything stronger than valerian during pregnancy.
Valentina, 40 years old
When is the drug prescribed?
Doctors still prescribe Phenazepam during pregnancy in some cases. In fact, this drug copes well with the following pathologies:
- diseases of a neurological nature associated with insomnia, nervous irritation and constant anxiety;
— the medicine shows itself well in eliminating the withdrawal syndrome that occurs after stopping alcohol;
— it is also recommended to use the product when a disease such as schizophrenia is detected;
- if a pregnant woman has epileptic and other seizures.
Do not take this medicine on your own under any circumstances! The consequences can be sad not only for you, but also for your baby. The regimen, dosage and duration of treatment can only be determined by your attending physician. The drug is usually administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Sometimes it is prescribed in tablet form.
Method of use of the medicine
The manufacturer offers two dosage forms of the drug - injection solution and tablets. The possibility of using one of them is determined by the doctor, taking into account the specifics of the case. If the situation does not allow replacing Phenazepam with a less aggressive and toxic product, the treatment regimen is also selected individually.
Typically, treatment begins with the maximum allowable dosage for the patient’s diagnosis and condition. Gradually, this volume begins to be reduced, achieving preservation of the therapeutic effect with a minimal amount of the drug. This approach allows not only to reduce possible risks, but also to prevent the development of drug addiction in the expectant mother.
The duration of therapy should not exceed two weeks. Even a one-time use of the drug should be agreed with a doctor. In situations where long-term drug treatment is required, they try to switch the patient to analogues of the drug Phenazepam as quickly as possible. Even among benzodiazepine products, you can find options that are less dangerous for a woman and her child - Gidazepam. A good substitute can be the soft and affordable Afobazol.
Afobazole may be a good analogue of the drug.
Side effects
"Phenazepam" during pregnancy in the early stages, just like in later stages, can manifest itself on the negative side. Before you start using this product, be sure to familiarize yourself with possible adverse reactions.
Please note that this product can cause allergic reactions, manifested in the form of itching, redness and rash on the skin.
Phenazepam can also have a negative effect on the digestive system. Some patients noticed symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Also, the active components of the drug negatively affect the circulatory system. The number of platelets, leukocytes and red blood cells in the blood may significantly decrease.
There have also been cases of urinary incontinence or, conversely, retention.
Some women experienced very frequent mood swings - from depressive to enchanting.
But apparently in vain!
Phenazepam is quickly addictive. In order not to harm the patient, the dose is first gradually increased and then decreased. The course of treatment should not exceed two weeks, otherwise the risk of addiction increases.
The drug can cause a number of possible side effects, which must be taken into account when prescribing it to a pregnant woman.
The risk of allergies increases, manifested in the form of redness on the skin, severe itching and profuse rash. Phenazepam negatively affects the digestive system, resulting in vomiting, nausea, increased metabolism, yellowness of the skin, and abnormal bowel movements.
At the same time, the number of platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes in the blood decreases. Cases of urinary incontinence or, conversely, delay in urine output have been recorded. The medicine can lead to hallucinations, severe drowsiness, visual disturbances and sudden changes in mood. A woman can suddenly move from depression to a euphoric state.
Expert opinion about this drug:
Emergency cases
Very often, doctors recommend using the medicine "Phenazepam" before performing a caesarean section. It must be administered immediately before the operation itself or the night before it.
This preliminary preparation will promote good relaxation before the introduction of general anesthesia. Thanks to this, a pregnant woman can calm down. The feeling of anxiety will disappear without a trace, and the functioning of the endocrine glands will normalize.
The use of this drug before anesthesia will enhance the effect of the latter.
Reviews from patients and doctors
Of course, doctors prescribe this remedy to their pregnant patients extremely rarely. Most often, this is done with the aim of calming and relieving anxiety before the birth itself. Patients who experienced the effect of this medicine were generally satisfied. The anxiety really disappeared, and quality healthy sleep began.
When using the product during a cesarean section, the operation was successful. After anesthesia, the women quickly recovered and felt great. However, adverse reactions such as allergies, nausea, vomiting and dizziness were also observed.
During pregnancy, the product should be used very carefully and only under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Cautions
Particular caution should be taken when taking the drug during severe depression, as the drug can be used to carry out suicidal intentions. The product should be used very carefully in weakened patients.
Persons suffering from liver and kidney failure, while undergoing treatment with the drug "Phenazepam", need to undergo regular examinations and monitor liver enzyme levels, as well as blood condition.
The frequency of side effects, as well as their intensity, depend on the general condition of the patient, as well as on his sensitivity to the components of the drug included in the composition. Usually, when the dosage is reduced or the medication is completely discontinued, all side effects completely disappear.
Please note that if used for too long, this drug can cause addiction. Therefore, you need to start taking it and stop taking it very smoothly and carefully. If you stop treatment very abruptly, withdrawal syndrome may occur, since the body has already become accustomed to the active components.
Do not drink alcohol during pregnancy under any circumstances, especially if you are undergoing treatment with this drug. Phenazepam can significantly enhance the effect of alcohol on the body.
Drug poisoning
Poisoning with the drug has very serious consequences and can even lead to death if qualified medical assistance is not provided in a timely manner.
An overdose of the drug can be caused deliberately for the purpose of suicide. This may be caused by the fact that one of the side effects of the drug is depression and suicidal tendencies. During pregnancy, such side effects are doubly dangerous, since everyone knows that pregnant women often have problems controlling their emotions.
Remember that the maximum permissible daily dose of Phenazepam is 10 mg. And then, this dosage is prescribed by a doctor for very serious disorders.
Also, you should not mix the drug with alcohol and narcotic substances, as they mutually enhance each other’s actions, inhibiting the functioning of the central nervous system. The same applies to other tranquilizers, antidepressants and sleeping pills.
An overdose of the drug can be caused deliberately for the purpose of suicide. This may be caused by the fact that one of the side effects of the drug is depression and suicidal tendencies. During pregnancy, such side effects are doubly dangerous, since everyone knows that pregnant women often have problems controlling their emotions.
Remember that the maximum permissible daily dose of Phenazepam is 10 mg. And then, this dosage is prescribed by a doctor for very serious disorders.
conclusions
The drug "Phenazepam" during pregnancy (reviews about the drug are direct confirmation of this), if it is prescribed by a doctor and all risks are taken into account, it copes well with its tasks. However, it must be used extremely carefully. You should not prescribe this medication yourself. This can only be done by a doctor after conducting a special examination and passing the relevant tests.
During pregnancy, a course of treatment with Phenazepam can still be prescribed, but only if it does not pose a threat to the life of the baby or his mother.
The medicine can be used once before a cesarean section for pregnant women. In this case, the drug can have a positive effect. The level of anxiety will decrease and a state of full, healthy sleep will occur. The drug also enhances the effect of anesthesia and allows you to come out of it in a more normal state. Take proper treatment and lead a healthy lifestyle. Be healthy!
