Taking Dalmane During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Is It Okay to Take Dalmane While Pregnant?

Dalmane is a brand-name medicine. The generic ingredient in Dalman is flurazepam, which is a derivative of benzodiazepines. Flurazepam acts as a hypnotic, sedative, skeletal muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant drug. Dalmane is prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. It’s intended as a short-term insomnia medication and it can be helpful for people who have trouble falling asleep or who frequently wake in the night. It can also be useful for someone who wakes up early, or a combination of these sleep issues. Adverse side effects of Dalmane include drowsiness and lightheadedness. This drug does have abuse potential and it’s important to follow prescribing instructions carefully. There has been research showing that, along with drug tolerance and dependence, there are potential adverse central nervous system effects and rebound insomnia. Someone who has used Dalmane for a period of time and suddenly stops may experience symptoms similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

Is it safe to take Dalmane while pregnant? The answer is no, although you should always have a conversation with your doctor before stopping any medication. Sometimes drug withdrawal can be very dangerous during pregnancy. A pregnant woman may need to gradually taper down her dosage of medications like Dalmane in order to avoid these risks. Generally, benzodiazepines are not considered to be safe during pregnancy unless a doctor instructs a woman otherwise. It’s very unlikely a doctor is going to recommend that a woman continue using Dalmane while she is pregnant. A doctor may not even recommend that she stop the medication altogether because it can be dangerous.

Will Taking Dalmane Cause Birth Defects?

It is possible that the use of Dalmane during pregnancy can increase the risk of certain birth defects. The active ingredient in Dalmane, flurazepam, is classified as a category X during pregnancy by the FDA. This indicates the FDA believes Dalmane should never be used during pregnancy. When a drug is classified as a category X substance, it means that there have been fetal problems in animal studies or humans. The category X designation also indicates that the FDA believes the risks of the medicine outweigh any possible benefits it could have. The risk of drugs like flurazepam can increase the risk of certain birth defects when used in the first trimester. If they’re used in the later trimesters of pregnancy, they can cause fetal withdrawalsymptoms. There have been links to the use of Dalmane during pregnancy and problems with fetal brain development. There is also a risk of developing ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental retardation. The risks associated with using Dalmane during pregnancy are similar to what can happen if a fetus is exposed to barbiturates, alcohol or PCP. It is not recommended that women take Dalmane while breastfeeding either. It’s believed that flurazepam can be excreted through breast milk. This can cause central nervous system and respiratory system depression in an infant. It can also lead to problems with feeding and weight loss.

Babies Born Addicted to Dalmane

It is possible that if a pregnant woman uses Dalmane, particularly during the last trimester, the baby will be born addicted to the drug. This can cause symptoms of withdrawal in the infant following birth. Neonatal withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause symptoms related to the respiratory system, such as breathing problems. Other signs of neonatal withdrawal from a drug like Dalmane include high-pitched crying, tremors or convulsions, gastrointestinal complications, vomiting, and sleep disturbances.

Alternatives to Taking Dalmane While Pregnant

Luckily, there are alternatives to taking Dalmane. A doctor may first advise certain lifestyle changes that can help alleviate insomnia symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an option. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture or even taking a warm bath during pregnancy might be something a doctor will discuss. If a doctor believes that a woman struggles with insomnia because of underlying issues such as anxiety or depression, another type of medication may be recommended, like an SSRI. SSRIs aren’t completely without risks when used during pregnancy, but the risks are less severe than those associated with using Dalmane. If a woman occasionally struggles with insomnia, an over-the-counter sleep aid might be recommended. For example, Unisom is considered to be safe during pregnancy and can also help with morning sickness when combined with vitamin B6.

Ultimately, if you’re considering becoming pregnant or are currently pregnant and you take Dalmane, you should talk to your doctor right away. Dalmane isn’t considered to be safe during pregnancy. When you speak with your doctor, you may be able to come up with another treatment plan to alleviate symptoms of insomnia without the use of this potentially harmful medication.

If you’re struggling with addiction and dependence, during pregnancy or not, we’re here to help with compassion and experience. Contact The Recovery Village to learn more.