Zoloft and Pregnancy WisdomCard™

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Zoloft, the brand name of the generic drug sertraline, is an antidepressant medication that is used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and depression.¹ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists Zoloft as a Category C drug, meaning that either animal studies have shown adverse effects, but no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women, or there have been no animal or well controlled human studies done.² In the case of Zoloft, there have been no studies in humans deemed "well controlled," but adverse effects in the fetus whose mothers who took Zoloft during pregnancy, particularly mothers who took Zoloft during the last trimester, have been reported.³ Seizures, breathing difficulties, and muscle stiffness have been reported in infants exposed to Zoloft during pregnancy.⁴

Fast Facts:

• Zoloft should only be used in pregnancy if the need for the medication outweighs the potential risks to the fetus.³
• In animal studies, with rats given Zoloft during the last trimester there was an increased rate of stillborn pups and an increased risk of death to the pup within the first four days.⁵ (It is important to note, however, the animals were given a higher than recommended human dosage of Zoloft.)
• It is unknown whether Zoloft is passed through breast milk, or if it might be harmful to a nursing baby.³
• Patients are often concerned about using antidepressants during pregnancy. Read how psychiatrists respond to frequently asked questions.

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