Anti-D's While Breastfeeding

I was on Wellbutrin for the last few months of my pregnancy (generalized anxiety disorder) and switched to Zoloft after delivery. As other moms have said, different meds behave differently in the body - I've had a great experience, with no ill effects on my son (and none for me, either!) As for why the recommendation for meds is different in this pregnancy, I'd guess its because there has been more research. Since no one is going to do a double-blind medication study on pregnant women, they have to rely on accumulating and analyzing anecdotal evidence.

Good luck!

Our pediatrician actually preferred for me not to be on an SSRI while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary because it does excrete into the breast milk. When I asked my OB/GYN, he deferred me to the pediatrician who rendered his opinion.

I would ask a pharmacist to do a comparison for you - there are SEVERAL medications in the drug class, some may have done studies to have FDA approved use for lactation, others may not have sought that approval, but the manufacturer may have data to support its use or not.

I'd also ask the pediatrician to see what they recommend as well as your OB/GYN.

Without getting too scientific, there's a BIG difference between using a product during pregnancy vs. lactation and different kinds of scientific studies are required by the FDA to be approved for each.
As far as using during pregnancy, usually, they want to make sure that a product doesn't cross the placental wall and have an effect on the developing baby. Whereas, many things can be excreted through breast milk - that's why you have to watch your caffeine consumption, spicy foods, etc. Each product will have either received FDA approval or not for both different categories.

The world of medicine is always changing. By law, the FDA is required to collect and keep all safety (including side effect) data on file. If a product is shown to be unsafe after being on the market a while, the FDA will restrict its use, issue warnings where it should not be used or pull it from the market.

Feel free to send me a message if you want me to help you further - I've been in the pharmaceutical industry a LONG time and may be able to clarify a little better.

I'll second what the first mom said--some things won't cross the placenta but will be present in breast milk. I don't know a lot about the differences between those two particular anti-d's, but I do know that some things are ok during pregnancy and not during breastfeeding and vice versa. If you want more clarification, definitely ask your doctor.

I was under the impression that Zoloft was the only Anti-D approved for use during breastfeeding...but I was told this 6 years ago, so things may have changed. I would rather give my baby formula than any kind of drugs in my breastmilk, but that is a completely personal choice. Congrats!

not sure why he says that. I am breastfeeding and on Celexa. while i was pregnant I was on Lexapro and switched to celexa after she was born because it was cheaper. 11 years ago with my first daughter they put me on prozac while pregnant because i tended to lose too much weight on zoloft and was already not gaining much. it might help you to remember to ask your dr if you write it down now. it does get overwhelming sometimes in the dr office!

You can look up drugs and breastfeeding through this link:

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medicationforumspage.html

Just click on guest. Dr. Hale is well known for studying drugs and their effect on breastfeeding.

I don't know much about Celexa, but zoloft is the anti-depressant of choice while breastfeeding. That could be why your doctor wants to switch you. Also, I've heard that wellbutrin can reduce your milk supply so I'd try weaning off that one if possible.

I'm not sure about the switch from celexa to zoloft, but well butrin has some behavioral side effects with children and he may be trying to avoid that. I'd ask your doctor to do a full drug comparative and explain to you his reasoning.

I would echo what many moms said about talking again with your dr. I took Celexa with all 3 of my children while breastfeeding. Approved by both their ped. dr. and my obgyn. I supppose things could have changed in the last 2 years since I quit breast feeding. So far neither of my children have shown adverse side effects from me taking Celexa while prego or breast feeding. Just getting more info. may give you peace of mind whatever decision you make. Congrats and good luck!

I breastfeed and take Wellbutrin and Celexa. A GREAT resource for looking up meds and breastfeeding is the National Institutes of Health's Lact-med database.

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

It tends to be written in medicalese and it works better to put in the drugs generic name (Acetaminophen instead of tylenol, bupropion for Wellbutrin, et cetera) If a doctor tells you a medication isn't OK it's helpful to be able to say "The National Institutes of Health says..." and then give them the printout!