Nursing and Prozac

[msright2474]

Does anyone have any info on the safety of this? I was on Prozac before becoming pregnant (20 mg). It worked wonders for my depression. Now that my dd Syd is 2 mo. old, I feel the need for the medication again. I've searched online, but I would like to hear from mothers as well. I'm exclusively breastfeeding.

[Jish]

It's no problem to take an SSRI and nurse. There have been many studies done and the amount that goes into the breastmilk is very small, and the amount that is found in the baby blood is for all intents and purposes non existant. That's not to say that none of the medication finds it's way there, but when they test the baby, it is in levels that don't show up.

Many, many moms here are taking an antidepressant while breastfeeding, and many are taking them while pregnant. Consider this, the amount of antidepressant that a nursing child gets in two years is the same as the amount that a fetus gets in one day. That sort of puts it in perspective. A healthy mom is the most important thing. Maternal depression is bad for a babychild and is known to have side effects such as failure to thrive, excessive crying etc. If mom is depressed, it affects the entire family.

Don't worry about the meds. Take them and feel better.

[georgia]

Dr. Thomas Hale's, Medications and Mothers Milk, lists Zoloft as the SSRI of choice for nursing moms, followed by Paxil, with Prozac as not-as-favorable choice due to half-life issues/plasma transfer rate (if I remember correctly). Also, you can look on mothering.com for Dr. Hale's Drugs and Breastfeeding article from a year or so back. Click on the articles button.

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

HTH

[carolsly]

SSRI's

I was told by my midwife that it was okay to take Wellbutrin during pregnancy and while nursing. I love it! I have to take the 3x a day one because of my Gastric Bypass, but it has little (none for me) sexual side effects and has changed my life! I don't know if you have any other medical conditions that would suggest that Wellbutrin would not be a choice for you (BTW, many insurances do not cover the XL or extended release tablets), but I am used to taking medication 3x a day so it never bothered me. This is also the same drug that is in Zyban. It helped me quit smoking too. I was down to 1 a day, but I don't even want any now. Here's to feeling more chipper! Many blesses mama.

[Jish]

While Zoloft may be blanketly recommended as the best for breastfeeding moms by Hale, it doesn't work the same for everyone. All ssri's are considered safe and if you have one that works well for you, don't be afraid to take it.

[mountain]

I would try an herbal or dietary treatment first. I would be concerned because they do pass through breastmilk.

The only research being done is paid for by the pharmaceutical companies...There's no money in NOT taking Prozac.

Some thoughts to consider, I hope you find what's best for your family

[Stacymom]

I took prozac 40mg from the time my dd was about 9 weeks old until she was about six months old. My dr told me that prozac was the most wdely researched of teh ssri's and the one he felt most comfortable prescribing.

I was in bad shape, and I didn't relaize how far off I was until I started to feel better. I hope you can find something that works for you.