Can you Take Phentermine while Pregnant? (Is It Safe)

This article will talk about taking phentermine while pregnant and what that could mean for the baby.

Professionals in the medical field strongly advise against taking phentermine while pregnant because it could hurt the developing baby.

Exposure to this weight loss drug can have serious effects on the baby’s health and development, such as gestational diabetes, prenatal stroke, cephalic cysts, and neural tube defects.

Drug regulators and health officials are aware of these risks and have set up guidelines to tell expectant mothers and healthcare providers about the possible risks of taking phentermine while pregnant.

Also, case studies that describe the bad things that happened to babies who were exposed to the drug while they were still in the womb show how important it is to be careful and follow professional advice when trying to lose weight while pregnant.

How does Phentermine impact pregnancy?

Phentermine, which is a methylated amphetamine, has been linked to serious risks for pregnant women, such as birth defects, heart problems, and babies who don’t grow as much as they should.

Due to insufficient safety information, the FDA has designated this drug as a category X medication for pregnancy, urging caution and close monitoring for those who are or may become pregnant.

Gynecologists tell women who take phentermine to get a pregnancy test every month and stop using the drug right away if the test comes back positive.

Even though phentermine has been shown to help women who aren’t pregnant lose weight, its possible harmful effects during pregnancy can’t be ignored.

Weight gain is crucial for the healthy development of a fetus, and using such medications may impede this essential process.

The risk of losing weight during pregnancy is a big worry for moms-to-be because it has been linked to a higher chance of having a C-section or giving birth early.

One factor that can contribute to this risk is the use of appetite suppressants like phentermine, which have notable distressing effects on both the mother’s and child’s health.

Common side effects associated with phentermine include nervousness, excitability, nausea, constipation, insomnia, headache, dry mouth, palpitations, and thirst, all of which can be detrimental to a healthy pregnancy.

Because of these risks, doctors and other experts strongly advise against using weight loss products and appetite suppressants while trying to get pregnant. This is for the health of both the mother and her growing baby.

Can you use phentermine when trying to conceive?

Many couples trying to get pregnant are interested in the idea of taking phentermine while trying to get pregnant. Interestingly, research has shown that there are no significant differences in pregnancy rates between the control group and the phentermine group.

But the FDA’s medication guidelines say that women who take pills with this substance should use birth control.

One reason for this caution is that Qsymia, a pill that combines phentermine and topiramate, has been linked to serious birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate.

Because of these risks, people are usually told to try natural ways to lose weight before getting pregnant, like exercise and making changes to their diet, instead of relying on medicines like phentermine.

What if I used phentermine while I was pregnant?

Using phentermine during pregnancy could be dangerous. The following are some unfavorable side effects of its use that may have an impact on pregnancy, either directly or indirectly.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that needs to be taken seriously because it could hurt both the mother and the baby.

A notable finding is that women who consume phentermine, a weight loss medication, during their first trimester of pregnancy demonstrate an increased likelihood of developing GDM.

This condition is not without risks, as it can lead to the development of obesity, impairments in glucose metabolism, and cardiac disorders for both mother and child.

Moreover, the offspring of mothers who experience GDM during conception face a significantly heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes as they age, ranging from twice to eight times more likely.

This information shows how important it is to know about GDM and treat it correctly, as well as to be careful when taking medications like phentermine during pregnancy.

Insomnia

Recent research showed that insomnia stemming from the use of phentermine, even at moderate intensity, can have some very serious consequences.

If a pregnant woman doesn’t get enough sleep, her labor might last longer, she might feel more pain during labor, she might need a C-section, or she might go into labor early.

This makes it even more important for pregnant women to talk to a doctor before taking drugs like phentermine and to talk about whether their lifestyle choices are good for their health and the health of their unborn child.

Induce symptoms of psychosis

People have said that the popular weight loss drug phentermine has some scary side effects like making some people show signs of psychosis.

These adverse effects tend to fade once the medication is discontinued. A notable case study about a young Asian woman showed that there was a strong link between taking phentermine and getting the psychotic illness.

More research has shown that this medication can also make some patients feel depressed.

But it’s important to remember that phentermine affects the central nervous system less than other drugs that do the same thing.

Also, new research shows that anxiety and depression during pregnancy can have negative effects on both the mother’s and the baby’s health. These problems can include a shorter gestation period and problems with the brain development of the fetus.

Will phentermine be harmful to my unborn child?

It’s very important to think about whether or not phentermine will hurt your unborn child, because the effects could be very bad.

Research shows that phentermine may be bad for unborn babies. Neural tube defects, fetal stroke, cephalic cysts, or a bigger head circumference are all things that could happen.

In a documented case study, a baby girl with bilateral porencephalic cysts was born to a mother who had been using phentermine until the 28th week of her pregnancy.

Also, drugs with phentermine in them have been linked to valvular dysfunction and high blood pressure in the lungs in young children.

This can lead to long-lasting health complications for the child. Lastly, exposure to amphetamine products, such as phentermine, puts children at risk for psychiatric co-morbidities and poor growth.

Because of these possible risks and the tone of our research, it is important to talk to a doctor before taking phentermine while pregnant to make sure the best possible outcome for both mother and baby.

Summary

Even though everyone agrees that pregnant women should take certain precautions to protect their baby’s health and well-being, it is important to know that some medications, like phentermine, can have negative effects on fetal development.

Taking phentermine while pregnant has been linked to a higher risk of getting gestational diabetes, among other possible side effects.

Moreover, various birth defects can stem from exposure to phentermine in utero, including neural tube anomalies, formation of cephalic cysts, enlargement of the head circumference, and perinatal stroke.

Before taking phentermine or any other medication, you should talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or seriously thinking about getting pregnant. By doing so, you can minimize risks, ensuring both your health and that of your unborn child.