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Original poster

What happens if you fall pregnant while taking citalopram?

13 replies

Bunnyattack · 03/09/2018 20:56

Just wondering as I've never asked my doctor...but what would happen?
Do you have to stop taking them?
So they give you a substitute that's suitable to take?

Another dc is only a maybe in the distant future so not a pressing issue but just thought I'd find out now from anyone who has Had a real experience with this.

I Do not feel as though I could cope without my tablets which I take for a quite severe anxiety disorder

OP posts:
BifsWif · 03/09/2018 20:58

You can take them during pregnancy, don’t worry.

SacharissaCrisplock · 03/09/2018 21:05

You can take them during pregnancy I think but they may also swap you to sertraline which is similar but I know is definitely safe and the one they prefer you to take (personal experience on this one so don't have the medical advise to back it up offhand).

Dionysus78 · 03/09/2018 21:22

I was on 30mg a day during my pregnancy. I was able to continue, but they did keep me in hospital for 48 hours afterwards to check on the baby (they can very rarely have a syndrome related to it after they're born -- not dangerous). However, since I had an emergency c-section this would have happened anyway!

WittyBrittleTrier · 03/09/2018 21:23

I took citalopram during my pregnancy (on my doctor’s advice) a decade ago. DS shows no ill effect. Your doctor will help you balance risks but I’d recently recovered from a serious episode of depression and it wasn’t worth me taking the chance of a relapse.

Dacresmallwilly · 03/09/2018 21:27

They would review your meds but you wouldn't have to come off them. There is no evidence of one SSRI being more suitable for use in pregnancy than any other.

Maxbenji · 03/09/2018 21:28

I'm currently pregnant and was put on citralopram near the beginning or pregnancy, changed now at 23 weeks to setraline because I want to bf and felt up to changing now not later on!

CalpolOnToast · 03/09/2018 21:32

I got pregnant accidentally on citalopram, GP and consultant both said that on balance I should stay on it but I should stay in for 2 days after birth to monitor both me and my baby. In the event I had to stay in anyway because of a PPH. I also asked if breastfeeding was safe and they referred me to a paediatrician who said it was fine. More on that at breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/antidepressants%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

I believe sertraline is thought to be safer in pregnancy but I react badly to it.

DS is now 5 and perfect Smile

FraterculaArctica · 03/09/2018 21:35

I was on them (20mg) throughout my second pregnancy and breastfeeding. All health professionals fully supportive and no problems whatsoever.

Gillian1980 · 03/09/2018 21:36

I took mine throughout though I did choose to reduce them a bit as I felt able to at that time.

KatyN · 03/09/2018 21:45

I took it through both of my pregnancies. First child (6.5 years ago) I was told about the staying in to check on the baby. Baby was actually in nicu for other stuff so stayed in longer. No one ever mentioned the cotraloplan again.

Second child I was out the next day. No mention of citraloplan at all.

I was recommended to cut from 40mg to 20 before trying for my first. Was on 20 with my second all the way through.

You can totes take it in pregnancy kx

flippyflapper · 03/09/2018 21:49

I was on 20mg of citalopram. Fell pregnant and doctor told me to come off them (this was about 9 years ago) very stupid advice. I miscarried anyway so went back on them.

Fell pregnant again and stayed on them all the way though and breast fed baby absolutely fine no mention of monitoring.

I fell pregnant again this time with twins and again stayed on them all the way through and breastfed again babies absolutely fine. That was 6 years ago.

I would never personally come off them. I spoke to a consultant after my little one was born as she was prem and he told me it was absolutely fine and also breast feeding.

Please don't worry x

TeacupTattoo · 03/09/2018 23:31

It's everybody's choice what to do...I was on 40mg citalopram and came off immediately I fell pregnant. I see CPN regularly and feel less anxious by not being on them. I will however return to them straight afterwards. I have complex ptsd and worry about possible danger to my children is a major trigger to me so it's far better not having them in my system to worry about. However, if I was taking them for other issues I would continue.

Dacresmallwilly · 18/09/2018 13:20

You should go to your GP to have your medicines reviewed, they will talk you through the risks/benefits of continuing treatment or stopping/reducing the dose. You can stay on the drug if you need it. There isn't a preferred antidepressant for use in pregnancy, the choice should be made on a case-by-case basis and decisions should focus on your well being. The evidence that SSRIs can cause heart defects in the baby is now considered to be very weak

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