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Disclaimer: This guide is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always confirm medicine, supplement and product decisions with your obstetrician, midwife, pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Medication

Is Prozac (Fluoxetine) Safe During Pregnancy?

Published 2026-07-10 | By SafeMama Editorial Team | Editorial policy

Is Prozac (Fluoxetine) Safe During Pregnancy? pregnancy safety guide image

Short answer

Fluoxetine is sometimes continued during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks, but it should be a prescriber-and-obstetrician decision rather than a sudden stop or start.

Individualized prescriber decision

What is the safest way to think about this?

MotherToBaby notes that fluoxetine has been studied in pregnancy and that some newborns exposed late in pregnancy can have temporary symptoms. The decision is usually about balancing medication exposure with the risks of untreated mental-health symptoms.

What is generally okay?

  • Talk with your prescriber and obstetric clinician before changing dose or stopping.
  • Ask how untreated depression, anxiety, OCD, or panic symptoms affect your pregnancy plan.
  • Tell the newborn care team if fluoxetine is used late in pregnancy so temporary newborn symptoms can be watched for.

What should you avoid or double-check?

  • Avoid stopping fluoxetine suddenly without medical guidance.
  • Avoid switching antidepressants only because of pregnancy without a risk-benefit discussion.
  • Avoid combining with other serotonin-affecting medicines or supplements without review.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can help identify fluoxetine and Prozac on labels or medication lists, then prompt the questions to bring to your prescriber.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Can I stop Prozac as soon as I find out I am pregnant?

Do not stop suddenly without your prescriber. Abrupt changes can cause withdrawal symptoms or relapse, and untreated symptoms can also affect pregnancy care.

Does Prozac always cause newborn withdrawal?

No. Some babies have temporary symptoms, especially after late-pregnancy exposure, but not all exposed babies do. Your care team can plan monitoring.

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