A client of mine was taking Zoloft and
Zyprexia during pregnancy. She was very unwell and there were lots of issues for
her. She had to consider the potential effects on her baby versus
being well enough just to function from day-to-day, never mind
care for her daughter and a newborn baby. She saw a psychiatrist on a
regular basis and the doses were often adjusted. The baby was fine after the
birth, no problems or withdrawal symptoms. She continued to take the Zoloft
while breastfeeding. The baby fed beautifully, slept well and gained plenty of
weight. She's now a healthy toddler! Had she not taken the medications
during pregnancy, I believe neither of them would be here today.
Subject: [ozmidwifery] zoloft and
pregnancy/breastfeeding
Anyone had any experience or clients taking
Zoloft during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding?
Have a newly pregnant friend taking Zoloft and
after reading article in paper this week based on study published in
Archives of Paediatric Medicine, she is petrified but not well enough
to do away with the Zoloft.
The Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee
advise not to breastfeed!
Article copied below. SMH
3/8/03
Alert over taking
Prozac during pregnancy
August 4 2003
Women who use Prozac and similar anti-depressants during pregnancy and
breastfeeding could expose their babies to withdrawal and toxic effects, a
federal government drugs watchdog has warned.
The Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee says it has received 26
reports of infants with withdrawal symptoms.
The effects were attributable to mothers taking the selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs Aropax, Zoloft, Prozac and citalopram. The
babies' symptoms included agitation, poor feeding, stomach upsets,
convulsions, tremors, fever and respiratory disorders. They began within the
first four days of birth and lasted two to three days.
There were also 13 reports of adverse effects probably resulting from the
transfer of SSRIs from breastmilk to the baby.
Many of the symptoms of toxicity were similar to those of withdrawal but in
two cases involved babies sleeping for prolonged periods. ");document.write("
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The watchdog's August bulletin quoted a study published in the Archives
of Paediatric Medicine which found that almost one quarter (22 per cent)
of newborns who were exposed to paroxetine (marketed in Australia as Aropax)
from their mother in the third trimester needed prolonged hospitalisation
associated with neonatal complications.
The committee recommends the lowest dosage of the drugs be used during
pregnancy and that mothers should consider not breastfeeding.
"It is probable that neonatal withdrawal effects would be minimised by
using the lowest effective maternal dose," it advises.
"Breastmilk transfer can be treated by stopping or reducing the dose of
SSRIs or by using formula milk."
