Posted by Bill LL on December 30, 2003, at 16:30:33
In reply to Lexapro, pregnancy and withdrawal, posted by swegirl on December 30, 2003, at 4:01:32
Here are 2 things I found about the topic. In general, it seems that taking Lexapro during pregnancy is probably safe. If you stay on the Lexapro, you might consider using formula instead of breast feeding.
"Taking Lexapro during Pregnancy or Breast-feeding
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; therefore, escitalopram should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Lexapro, like many other drugs, is excreted in human breast milk. There have been two reports of infants experiencing excessive somnolence, decreased feeding, and weight loss in association with breast feeding from a Lexapro-treated mother; in one case, the infant was reported to recover completely upon discontinuation of citalopram by its mother and, in the second case, no follow up information was available. The decision whether to continue or discontinue either nursing or Lexapro therapy should take into account the risks of citalopram exposure for the infant and the benefits of Lexapro treatment for the mother."However another site said:
"eCMAJ NewsDesk:
Benefits outweigh risks for antidepressant use during pregnancy, breast-feeding
Date: Jan. 19, 2001 Time: 3:18pmA study has found that pregnant mothers taking drugs to fight depression may be better off if they continue to take the medication throughout their pregnancy rather than discontinuing its use because they are worried about how the drugs will affect the fetus.
The study followed 36 pregnant women, 34 of whom abruptly stopped taking their antidepressant or benzodiazepine medication for fear of harming the fetus; 26 of the women reported physical and psychological adverse effects, and 11 reported suicidal thoughts after they stopped taking their medication. Four of the patients with suicidal thoughts were hospitalized. Following counselling, 22 women resumed taking their medication while pregnant.
The study, by researchers with the Motherisk Program at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. Of the 36 study subjects, 1 had a therapeutic abortion and 2 had spontaneous abortions. Thirty-five healthy babies, including 2 sets of twins, were born to 33 women. Fourteen of 21 mothers breast-fed their babies while taking their psychotropic medication, with no adverse affects.
"We found that, for some women, the benefits of continuing to take antidepressant medication really do outweigh the risks," Adrienne Einarson, assistant director of clinical services of Motherisk and lead author of the study, told eCMAJ.
Einarson, who was a psychiatric nurse before joining the program, said the issue of depression among pregnant women and new mothers has been studied for some time, but it often takes tragic cases to bring it to public attention. One such case arose last August, when Dr. Suzanne Killinger Johnson leaped in front of a Toronto subway train, killing herself and her 6-month-old son, Cuyler.
"Women who are depressed and become pregnant feel they have to stop taking their medication to protect their unborn child," said Einarson. "More and more research, however, is showing that this is not the case."
She recommends that pregnant women who are taking antidepressants or benzodiazepines discuss the options with their physician and make an informed decision. She also stressed the importance of tapering off medication, since stopping abruptly can lead to severe adverse effects.
Corinne Mahar-Sylvestre has battled her own bouts of depression, including a severe case of postpartum depression following the birth of her son, Ben, about 2 years ago. She told eCMAJ she hoped that more pregnant women and their physicians will get the message that antidepressant medication can be used during pregnancy and while breast-feeding, if needed.
"I am extremely glad that more research is being done on the safety of antidepressants used during pregnancy and breast-feeding," said Mahar-Sylvestre, who runs a postpartum support group in Trenton, Ont. "I have had several women in my support group tell me they were denied prescriptions, or given ridiculously low doses, because they were breast-feeding."
— Steven Wharry, eCMAJ"
poster:Bill LL
thread:294584
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294774.html