Has Anyone Used Wellbutrin XL While Pregnant And/or Nursing?

I was on Welbutrin XL 150 mg twice a day before being pregnant and went down to once a day when I got pregnant up until 6 weeks before I delivered. Which my doctors recommended due to withdrawal for the baby. So, I weaned myself off over a two week period and was totally off by the beginning of my 9th month. So when the baby was born he and I were cleared of it. Though, I did not breastfeed. I saw no signs and neither did my doctor from the baby being affected by my taking the prescription while pregnant. Though, I still beleive, it is best to not take anything while pregnant or breastfeeding if at all possible.

My son is now 3 and as healthy as can be. He is very smart and will start preschool in two weeks and has achieved all of his milestones on time if not before necessary.

Hi A.,
I am 19 weeks pregnant and taking Wellbutrin. I was taking it before I got pregnant and my doctor didn't want me to stop. Hormonal changes cause depression for me, so I'm glad to have it. Also, I has severe PPD after my first child was born so my doctors think it may help head it off this time! I hope it does! That was awful. I'm not sure about Wellbutrin and nursing. Last time they had me on Zoloft while I was nursing. I hated the Zoloft, so I'm hoping I can just stay on the Wellbutrin. Good luck!

According to Dr. Hale, Wellbutrin XL is a pregnancy level B and lactational L3. The highest concentration was found to be present in breastmilk 2 hours after taking the pill, so theoretically you could take it right after the baby goes to bed at night and you should be fine.

Breastmilk never, ever loses its benefits, even when coupled with an L3 drug. I take PTU, an L2, to control my thyroid and had to weigh the risks and to me it wasn't worth turning to formula. If you need to take this drug then I support that decision 100%, and nobody should do otherwise.

By the way, if you join Amazon.com you can look through Dr. Hale's book Medications and Mother's Milk free of charge! You just type in the name in the search form (either the brand name or pharmacy name) and the information comes up. That's where I got my info from.

Good luck!

You and your doctor can check out the medication on Lactmed. Just do a google search and it'll pop up. The name it will be listed is Bupropion. Also, you can discuss the potential of other medications if you or your doctor are uncomfortable with this medication while breastfeeding. Your doctor can also call The Ruth Lawrence hotline. It's a number for Doctors and Lactation Consultants to call about medications. They will not accept calls from patients/mothers etc. If you need that number, I can supply it for you. S.

I hesitated to respond...sounds like you've had some issues with taking this med?

I take a natural anti-stress/anti-anxiety formula that doesn't have any side effects. I can tell you about it if you want. I only take it when I need it. It works.

Just thought I'd let you know in case you don't get the answers that you want about your meds.

S.

A. -

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm approaching 30 wks pregnant with our second child and recently switched from Wellbutrin to Zoloft. I suffered from depression in high school and wasn't bothered by it from the time I graduated until I got pregnant the second time around. I was so afraid to take any meds during this pregnancy (I didn't take anything in high school either) but in the end I decided that being able to function for my husband and first child was more important than (in my opinion) being selfish and suffering. So after nearly a month of research I decided to go ahead and take the Wellbutrin.

After talking with my OB, I switched to Zoloft because I do plan to breastfeed. From what I understand, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Prozac, etc are all class C drugs, but Zoloft is more well tolerated by moms/babies in their third trimester and while bfeeding without causing harm to the baby. In my personal opinion, the safest bet is to not take anything at all, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. From all the literature I've read, I feel okay with taking an antidepressant now. After all, it's not just about me anymore. I have a responsibility to my family now to be all I can be.

Deciding on whether or not to take antidepressants, or any drug for that matter, is a tough issue to tackle, and you should feel comfortable with your decision, whatever it is. Weigh all your options and do some research. You're doing the right thing by asking about it. Have faith, pray, and believe that you'll make the right decision.

Good luck!

A. - I used Wellbutrin -but not the XL. I started it about month 5/6 or so, but would have started it earlier. My Dr just thought it was the 1st trimester stuff but it didn't get better and I couldn't take it anymore. I had taken Wellbutrin in the past so I went to a psychologist who worked with my OB. My OB told me that Wellbutrin was one of the ones that they feel was fairly safe during pregnancy, but they did not recommend that I breastfeed while taking it.

To me, taking it and using formula was well worth the benefits it provided. I would have been no use to my husband, baby or toddler if I continued in the state that I was in. I know it's a hard decision to make, but you need to do what is best for you. If you can't function - then you won't be any good to your kids.

Good luck. Feel free to private message me if you need to.
J.

Before I had my little one, my doc had me on Zoloft because she said that it was safer than the rest because it was recommended for pregnancy and breastfeeding and thought it was the medication that would help with my situation. I didn't notice any effects on my son, but I also had problems breastfeeding, so we used formula exclusively after the first couple of weeks.

I'm sure that your doctor will help you make a good decision for your situation. Blessings.

I started taking Wellbutrin after the birth of my first child. I weaned off of it so I could try to go through my second pregnancy drug free, but by 7 months it was apparent that I needed to go back on it. In all, I was pregnant for 2 months and nursed for 12 1/2 months, all while taking this medication, and my son is now a healthy, happy 2 1/2 year old.

I agree with Jennifer. In a perfect situation, you wouldn't take meds while pregnant or bfeeding. But sometimes, in order to be a good, sane mom, you just have to. If you trust your doc and do your own research, you'll set your mind at ease. If you are depressed, anxious or otherwise occupied you will be no good to your baby or yourself. We gotta do what we gotta do!

~L.