NVP Counsellor
Date: 2007-01-11

Question:
Thirty years ago before it was removed from the US drug market, I took Benedictin (Diclectin) during my first pregnancy for NVP until my fifth month. My daughter seemed to have no health concerns at birth and had no developmental issues or academic concerns. However at the age of 16 she developed Bulemic behaviors which over the next ten years alternated with depressive episodes, which when incorrectly treated by the wrong psychotropic medications triggered hypomania, self cutting and trichillomania and finally prescription drug addiction before being correctly diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder. I have often wondered if her condition/behaviors could have been excerbated by the Benedictin? Any research on this? During my 2 subsequent pregnancies I used B6 supplements instead and found that by not taking the additional Iron supplement which my original OB prescribed due to borderline anemia, also helped lessened my nausea. I did take maternity vitamins as prescribed. Before both my due dates my iron level was no lower than it had been at eight weeks.

Answer:
As you mentioned,Bendectin (Diclectin) has been on the market for many many years and is the most researched drug ever used in pregnancy. There has not been any association at all, of any adverse effects of any kind on the children whose mothers took it in pregnancy.