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Pizotifen and Pregnancy

Medication 💊
#1

Hi all,

So - very very early stages but I have just found out I am pregnant. All very strange and wont be getting too excited until I have reached a few more weeks and officially missed my period.

Anyway

I am on Pizotifen 1.0mg. I cannot function without it, I have tried, Dr. S has said it is too early to come off and I agree. I am terrified of my mental health if I do come off, I cannot handle MAV on top of a pregnant body.

I feel incredibly selfish for saying this, I dont want to harm my baby and of course if it was clear that this would happen (e.g. like Topirimate) then I would stop and accept the consequences. I have seen on boards that some people have taken throughout pregnancy with no ill effects. Of course no one would test on pregnant women so the general advice is dont do it unless the pros outweigh the cons, in my experience I feel that the pros do outweigh the cons.

I dont know what to say to the Dr. I know Dr. S takes everyone off the meds, but I am so scared of getting my prescription axed. Does anyone have experience of a similar position to be in? Im so torn on what to do

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#2

Congratulations @becs - how lovely to hear some good news. Difficult to make a decision about what to do about taking Pizotifen just now and throughout the rest of your pregnancy, especially as you clearly still need to take it. I think you definitely need to talk to Dr S initially to see what he thinks - the GP would probably be guided by him - hopefully!
Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

#3

Congratulations!! Yes, you must speak to Dr. S. Have you been pregnant before whilst dealing with MAV? For me, my symptoms luckily decreased when I was pregnant especially in the second trimester onwards. I still had some ear fullness and tinnitus and the usual pregnancy fatigue but headaches, spins, marshmallow floors etc all abated. Perhaps it was down to hormones, or taking things easier, eating better, no late nights and alcohol etc. or a combination.

This info states there have been no reported adverse effects with pizotifen and pregnancy and mentions amitriptyline as a safe preventative. Best of course to speak to Dr. S though.

#4

Congratulations Bec. It’s so hard to know what to do. But I have heard of many people (including myself) totally improve with migraine whilst pregnant. I didn’t get one migraine in both pregnancies! I wonder if you could go off it, and then start taking it after feeding? Not sure. All the best with your pregnancy.

#5

Many thanks all

I spoke with GP and he is happy for me to stay on Pitz, essentially saying the same thing as you all have. There is a risk essentially due to unknown, but they dont know of any adverse reactions. He agreed that the potential risks outweigh the benefits, so he wont stop prescribing. Even though I will probbaly wean off it is nice to not feel backed into a corner about it all. I am keeping everything crossed that it is a viable pregnancy of course, so lets hope.

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