how irresponsible is it to conceive on citalopram?

[iamnotstressed]

Ended up on Citalopram after a miscarriage a few months ago. I have tried to come off it but was too tearful and anxious, so after a few days, went back to 20mg. The thing is I really want to try for another baby, I am getting old and don't want to wait till I can function withouth the ADs, not sure when that will be and by then I will be older. There seems to be conflicting advice about conception and pregnancy and Citalopram... I think the gp will just tell me to wait. Aghhhhhh! But I think the depression will not go till I have my second child and my family is complete!!!!

[Trinityrhino]

I conceived both dd2 and 3 whilst still on ad's
I don't think it's irresponsible, after all you are doing something to make yourself better.

[sweetboy]

I am not a GP or nurse or anything but I do work in mental health & with clients with substance misuse. I would say don't think twice about it...if you want to , go ahead. If you're healthy physically. Don't stress about it & good luck!

[iamnotstressed]

The gp i saw made me feel so crap about desiring another child, it was a few months ago, and was so tearful at the time.... so she may be more supportive now. Also worried about abnormalities in foetus, no gp will tell me that ads are safe in pregnancy....

[sweetboy]

Maybe they wouldn't. But there are a million worse things you could do. I truely believe it would be fine.

[iamnotstressed]

Thank you! How unusual is it to conceive on ads? Anyone know?

[frazz]

I am a GP and a mum of 3, 3rd is now 4 months and was conceived while on Citalopram, or possible escitalopram which is about the same. My GP didn't want me to stop it, even when he knew I was pregnant as I hadn't been on it "for long enough", but I had got to the stage when I could cope without it, so I stopped at about 3 or 4 months gone.
It sounds as if there are lots of babies out there who are conceived on the stuff. The trouble is, it is difficult to be rational about making these choices when you are feeling down and miserable.
The data about problems with the baby is very scanty, which is why you won't get a straight answer, but citalopram has been around for quite a long time now, so it is likely that we would know if there were any problems. The baby is more likely to inherit your depressive tendencies than have problems from the drug, I think.
Good luck with your next pregnancy. I don't know how old you are, but the fact that you have a child already, and have managed at least 2 conceptions means you should be fine. But that doesn't help because it is so stressful getting pregnant when you want it so much!!
Reading this I realise this really sounds like a GP, but I can't do any better - apologies for the lecture, and good luck in any case.

[jimmyjamas]

I woudn't worry too much. I was drinking "shall we say" lot's of wine when I conceived with my DS, and he is a perfect little boy.

I have taken escitalopram, although not whilst pg, but to be honest i found it ok. no side effects, etc.

I am sure it will be OK for u to take it if u really need it, even throughout pg, although u need to seek your doctor's advice.

My sisters best mate took Citalopram throughout "both" her pg's and her kids are fine.

Good luck.

[iamnotstressed]

I will go and see my gp, thank you....

[Jackaroo]

I was in pretty much your situation (loathed to say "exactly your situation"), in that I started taking it after a m/c... and conceived on it. At the time, and with my then GP, I came off it terribly quickly, but still I was 8 weeks gone or similar.

Absolutely no problems with DS(extremely happy and normal - so maybe hte escitalopram actually did something good!!), and my new gp says that it wouldn't be a problem to stay on it for a while these days (well, as far as he's concerned anyway).

Be careful about having a baby fixing everything though, and allow that you might need it after the baby is born, at some point, and that it wouldn't be the end of the world if you did.
hth

[iamnotstressed]

thank you jackaroo, you are right, the baby won't fix it, probably phsycotherapy will, of course because of my age we have to go for a baby pretty soon. thank you to everyone, good luck.

[siandjess]

Sorry to hijack thread (I did start one as well). Does anyone have any experience or information about conceiving on Prozac (fluoxetine). Friend of mine desperate for baby and keeps relapsing with anxiety and depression when trying to wean self off. Any advice would be great.

[madmarchhare]

Please check about breast feeding though. Citalopram is OK in pregnancy but I was advised not to BF.

I have read a lot since then and there are conflicting opinions. Swat up beforehand so as not to br disapointed at the time.

It may be a good idea to change now rather than mess around with medication when and if pg.