Oramorph While Pregnant: What You Need to Know

Is it safe to take Oramorph while pregnant?

Oramorph is a prescription medication used to relieve severe, ongoing pain. This medication is classified as an opioid narcotic. If you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant and want to use Oramorph during your pregnancy, set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss all your options. Usually, this medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy because it is an opioid. These medications easily cross through the placenta, the fetus’ main source of food and oxygen, and can affect the developing fetus.

When a woman becomes pregnant, it is important that she monitors everything she puts into her body. This is because everything she ingests can affect the fetus developing in her womb. Generally, women should avoid using drugs such as over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, and illegal substances during pregnancy. However, some women may need to use certain medications such as Oramorph if their benefits outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

If you are currently using Oramorph and become pregnant, notify your doctor of your pregnancy right away. If you no longer want to use Oramorph during your pregnancy, ask your doctor about tapering off the medication. This strategy will allow your body to adjust to less and less of the medication over time. You should never suddenly stop using Oramorph because this will put you at great risk of experiencing Oramorph withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, leg pains, muscle cramping, diarrhea, restlessness, sweating, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. These symptoms can negatively affect your health and the health of the fetus, which is why tapering off the medication is important.

If you choose to use Oramorph during your pregnancy, only take the recommended dose as your doctor prescribes. You should never take more than prescribed, because Oramorph is an opioid and is therefore highly addictive. Signs of Oramorph addiction may include becoming obsessed with finding and using Oramorph, suffering financial losses due to spending money on Oramorph, losing interest in the hobbies and activities you once enjoyed, and performing poorly at school or work.

Is Oramorph harmful to your baby? Common side effects

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) classified morphine, the generic version of Oramorph under the pregnancy risk category C. This category is reserved for medications which cannot be deemed completely unsafe or safe to use during pregnancy. Oramorph is in category C because there are not enough well-controlled studies in human subjects to determine negative effects to the fetus. Some animal studies have shown adverse effects, but these findings cannot be confirmed without larger studies with humans. Because of this lack of research, the FDA only advises that women use Oramorph during pregnancy if absolutely necessary.

Using Oramorph during your pregnancy will increase your baby’s risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome may include tremors, irritability, sleeping problems, high-pitched crying, tight muscle tone, hyperactive reflexes, seizures, yawning, stuffy nose, sneezing, poor feeding, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, sweating, and fever. If you notice these symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in your newborn, schedule a meeting with your baby’s doctor right away. This condition can be life-threatening if it goes untreated.

In addition, it is important for women to avoid using Oramorph during the second stage of labor or premature delivery. Doing so would put the newborn at risk for secondary respiratory depression.

If you are wanting to breastfeed while using Oramorph, talk to your doctor about the possible adverse effects on the newborn. Many substances can be passed into breast milk, which is why it is very important for women to continue monitoring what they put into their bodies after pregnancy. Your newborn may be at risk of developing opioid dependence if you choose to breastfeed while on Oramorph. Contact your doctor for more information on this topic.

If you are currently struggling with an Oramorph addiction, do not let it go untreated. This is especially important for pregnant women, as the more Oramorph you abuse the more likely the fetus will suffer from its effects. You should also seek treatment so you can be a role model for your child as they grow older. Finding an ongoing therapy program is important after the initial rehab treatment. Ongoing therapy can help support your continued sobriety, as there is always a risk of relapsing when it comes to substance use disorders.

If you or someone you love is currently struggling with a substance use disorder, seek professional help today. The Recovery Village can provide you with general information and resources to get the recovery process going. You can even get started today by searching for treatment programs in your local area here. To learn more about everything The Recovery Village has to offer, you can visit online at www.TheRecoveryVillage.com or call our 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 855-548-9825. Although the recovery process isn’t easy, The Recovery Village promises to be with you each step of the way.