Ultram During Pregnancy Ill-Advised
Ultram is the brand name for a synthetic pain reliever called Tramadol and is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. While not a narcotic, it works in a similar fashion akin to morphine but it is not part of the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDs which can contribute to internal bleeding and ulcers. That?s part of the good news, unlike the bad news which concerns taking Ultram during pregnancy.
The Bad News
There are five FDA categories of drugs as they pertain to pregnant women and Ultram is classified as a category C which means possible harm to a fetus. Ultram during pregnancy should be avoided because as a category C drug, this means that not enough controlled testing has been conducted to accurately assess its side effects in pregnant women.
This drug has been tested in controlled settings on animals however and Ultram during pregnancy of these animals did show serious side effects and in some cases death of the fetus or newborn. Obviously, no human expectant mother is going to allow drug testing done on her so these animal tests must be used as an example as to the potential effects on humans.
Isolated Cases
Because some chronic pain conditions are best treated with this drug, there have been pregnant women who have taken Ultram during pregnancy. These women did so because they and their doctor believed that the benefits far outweighed the potential disastrous results. While there have not been enough pregnant women taking this drug to form any definitive scientific conclusions, it can be safely said that there is some cause for concern.
While a few babies born to women who took Ultram during pregnancy were fine, there were those babies who were born addicted to the drug and had to remain in the hospital because of withdrawal symptoms. Indeed, other babies seemed fine at birth but are now showing signs of developmental delays in certain milestones and even in learning.
Even taking the Ultram during labor could cause potential damage to a baby as the drug can easily pass through the placenta. Taking the drug after birth can allow it to pass to the baby through breast milk if a mother decides to nurse her child. It is extremely important to notify the doctor if pregnancy is a possibility or a foregone conclusion as alternate pain relief would need to be identified.
Ultram during pregnancy is something that is taken at someone?s own risk both of themselves as well as the unborn baby they are carrying. Talking with doctor that specializes in pain management would be a smart move to find a amenable solution so that the baby is born healthy and normal.