Pregnancy and LDN

[Guest guest]

Someone was asking about pregnancy and LDN? Here's what's written about it based on 50 MG dosages for alcoholics.

from http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/BKD268/28e.aspx

Pregnancy

Women should be tested for pregnancy before initiating naltrexone and advised to use a reliable form of birth control. Data on the use of naltrexone during pregnancy are so scant that the risks are basically unknown. In laboratory animals, naltrexone has been shown to have an embryocidal effect when given in extremely high doses (approximately 140 times the human therapeutic dose). Consequently, naltrexone is classified by the FDA as a Category C drug, which denotes

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. reVia [naltrexone] should be used in pregnancy only when the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus (Physicians' Desk Reference [PDR], 1997, p. 958).

Naltrexone has been shown to have effects on a number of hormones, including growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. In light of these effects, the Consensus Panel generally recommends against the use of naltrexone during pregnancy or while mothers are nursing their babies. The risks of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other alcohol-related birth defects are high for the offspring of women who continue to abuse alcohol. Therefore, it is essential that the pregnant patient receive treatment in one of the many excellent programs available and maintain his or her sobriety to protect the health and future well-being of her fetus. (More information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FAS Prevention Section, 770-488-7370, or e-mail at ncehinfo@....

So, basically, if you're taking LDN, it may be fine... except your baby may be born very hairy and with long finger nails.. but nobody knows how safe it is at 50 MG, so no clue for 3 or 4.5 MG, and nobody wants to take the chance with pregnancies. If you take LDN, you're pretty much taking it at your own risk.. if you add pregnancy on top of it, you're taking full responsibility for whatever happens. No doc is gonna relieve you of that by condoning it. JMHO of course.

[Guest guest]

> Is that new information? What if LDN would be beneficial for the mother AND

baby?

>

> I thought " we just don't know " and nobody is willing to be a guinea pig and

take a chance with an unborn baby?

>

> Did I miss something?

>

=========

Larry,

To be on the safe side Dr. Bihari recommends stopping LDN while pregnant and

during breast feeding.

[Guest guest]

I'm probably the best one to answer this question. I've been on LDN

since 2002. Became pregnant in 2004 and stopped taking LDN after the

first trimester because everything you take freaks you out especially

when you have everyone telling you you're doing your baby harm. I had

Holden in September - started back on LDN and within two months had

the worst attack of my MS career. Actually, I'm just now recovering a

bit. I have been breastfeeding and taking LDN at 4.5 then 3.0. then

6.0 then 2.5 and now finally I have settled on 1.5 (it seems to be

working). My disease has most definitly progressed; I assume because

I could not get the right dose. Either way, I'm out of the chair and

using a cane. Hopefully will be able to get some muscle back and keep

improving. My son is eight months old and about 27 lbs. He's as

smart as a whip, as big as a tank, and has the most beautiful soul I

have ever met. I know in my heart I have not hurt him by taking LDN

while breast feeding. Actually I believe we were blessed to have had

the opprotunity to spend every hour together because of my illness.

So basically, do whatever your heart tells you to do. Good Luck,

Katrina P.S. I had my baby at Stanford and the research there found

no contraindications of 4.5 mg of naltrexone and pregnancy.

--- In low dose naltrexone , " Bobbi " <jesuslovesme3@h...>

wrote:

> If I were to try and have a baby do I have to go off LDN? And could

I

> go back on LDN right after? Thanks for any advice.