title: Diazepam use during pregnancy: a review of the literature.
abstract: Antianxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (BZDs) are frequently and appropriately used to ameliorate the anxiety symptoms of depression, dysthymic disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorder, and many personality disorders. Pregnancy may be accompanied by anxiety necessitating therapeutic intervention by anxiolytic drugs like BZD. Keeping in view the potential risks of teratogenicity and direct neonatal toxicity, BZDs with established safety records should be used, while avoiding exposure in the first trimester, especially with multidrug regimens, and prescribing the lowest dose for the shortest duration. This literature review highlights information from various sources regarding safety data of exposure of pregnant and lactating mothers to long-acting BZDs, especially diazepam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: Mohammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Tanveer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sobhan
authors.forename: Syed R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Aftab
authors.forename: Syed Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Mahmud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam