Use Of Benzodiazepine In Pregnancy Linked To Increased Risk Of Miscarriage: Study

Pregnancy is a crucial phase in a woman’s life, demanding heightened caution in various aspects, including medication choices. A recent report in the JAMA Psychiatry Journal underscores the potential risks associated with benzodiazepine medications commonly prescribed for anxiety, depression, and insomnia, suggesting an elevated risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.

Benzodiazepines, colloquially known as benzos, constitute a class of sedative drugs, including well-known names like Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin, which act by reducing brain activity to induce sleep. Research conducted by Taiwanese scientists and published in JAMA Psychiatry delved into the prevalence of miscarriage among women exposed to benzodiazepines during pregnancy. The study, encompassing over three million pregnancy cases, disclosed a miscarriage rate of 4.4 per cent among women using these medications.

Analysis of the medical histories of the women involved revealed a striking finding: women prescribed benzodiazepines faced a 70 per cent higher likelihood of miscarriage compared to those who did not take these drugs. Even when accounting for complicating factors such as the woman’s age and health, the heightened risk persisted. The study indicated a 67 per cent increase in miscarriage risk with long-acting benzos like Valium and a 66 per cent increase with Versed benzos.

The specific benzodiazepine alprazolam, with the generic version known as Xanax, exhibited the least risk, associated with a 39 per cent increase in miscarriage risk. The study suggests that benzodiazepines, when used during pregnancy, may traverse the maternal-placental barrier, directly exposing the fetus to these drugs. Such exposure can lead to defects in fetal development, ultimately increasing the risk of miscarriage.

The findings emphasise the importance for healthcare professionals to weigh the potential benefits and risks of benzodiazepine use when treating mental health and sleep disorders in pregnant women. The study’s comprehensive approach, analysing a vast dataset and controlling for various factors, lends credibility to its conclusions, urging caution in the prescription of benzodiazepines during pregnancy.

In light of these findings, expectant mothers and healthcare providers are advised to engage in informed discussions to make well-considered decisions regarding medication choices during pregnancy, prioritizing the health and well-being of both mother and child.