Is taking alprazolam safe during pregnancy?
Alprazolam should be avoided in pregnant mothers and during lactation. Alprazolam is classified as pregnancy category D because it could harm the fetus when administered. Passage of benzodiazepines across the placenta depends on the degree of protein binding in mother and fetus, which is influenced by factors such as stage of pregnancy and plasma concentrations of free fatty acids in mother and fetus. Adverse effects may persist in the neonate for several days after birth because of immature drug metabolising enzymes. The abuse of benzodiazepines by pregnant women can cause withdrawal syndrome in the neonate. The administration of alprazolam during childbirth can produce hypotonia, hyporeflexia, hypothermia and respiratory depression in the newborn. Alprazolam is excreted in breast milk in significant amounts and may result in lethargy and weight loss in neonates. From a study of the distribution of alprazolam into breast milk in 8 lactating women it was estimated that the average dail
