5mg or 10mg of Citalopram in pregnancy. Any difference?

[ChocFudgeCake]

Hi, I've been on citalopram for 17 months. Lately I've reduced the dose to 5mg daily.
I'm 6 weeks pg. When I realised I was pg I started to take my 5mg only every other day. I was intending to stop it. But I'm having withdrawal symptoms and feel VERY low. I think I would benefit from increasing the dose to 10mg daily. I'm just speculating here because the GP doesn't have a clue. I have to wait to get the 1st hospital app to ask to speak to someone. I feel guilty to be on med while pregnant, but I don't see other way. Please no comments like: why did you get pg in the 1st place?
Thanks!

Hi, what a shame your gp says he doesn't have a clue... could you ask your gp to ask other gp's in practice for advice, or there must be someone he can ask.

Pregnancy on Ads does happen, I know if I get preganant that will have to be the situation and I am on a (what is classed as worse for pregnancy) AD that citalopram.... if they decide not citalopram I know there are some that are allowed for breastfeeding (sertraline) and so on.

Hope some mums can post something more helpful, but didn't want to leave your post empty!

Thanks :)

Hi, your gp should be able to contact your local hospital to ask a consultant there about ad's in pregnancy, presumably either an obstetrician or the mental health team should know about it. My gp did this when my dd1 came down with suspected chicken pox when I was 6weeks pg with dd2. I got an answer the same day!

I am on alternate days of 10mg and 20mg and I'm 37 weeks pregnant. My GP and consultant have said that the benefit to my health far outweighs any risk to the baby and they are happy for me to breastfeed too.

Look after yourself.

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!

I was on 20mg citalopram all way through first preg. Clinical advice was benefits far outweigh than risk to baby (which is minimal) however, perceived wisdom now is to switch onto fluoxetine during PG**. Don't worry about being ADs - having a reason to be on them doesnt mean you aren;t going to be a fabulous mum!

**IIRC I am almost certain that this isn't because it is thought to be a "safer" drug as such, but its more widely prescribed, there is a bigger body of data now showing that it is safe in pregnancy than for citalopram, which is a growing body of evidence, but not yet as big.

Thanks to all :)
Sorry I didn't explain correctly in my post. I was mean about my GP . The GP did actually contacted the mental health team and told me that if I needed AD, I needed them and should continue taking them, although there was some concern about the 3rd trimester. That was it. I couldn't really ask about changing medication or doses. I'm relieved to read that some mums have taken AD in pr and their babies are fine. Also I'm starting to be more confident that I can carry on with 10mg, because honestly I'm going nuts here with the withdrawal symptoms. I feel so negative about everything. I hope that with a decent dose I start to feel better. Thanks again.

ChocFudgeCake - there will be a perinatel psychiatrist at the fertility unit, who I am sure can advise on what to do if you concerned about the 3rd trimester. That is what I was told to do, as that is their specialist area, and can reassure you etc.

Hope you feel better soon.

I asked the same question on MN when DD first got pregnant, she was worried about the baby having withdrawal.

She took 10 mg all through her pregnancy and her baby is fine, it is one of the most contented babies I have ever known.

Congratulations.

Keziahopes, last time I asked to see the psychiatrist when I was pregnant the midwives said "yes, sure someone will call you". I waited and waited and the had the baby. But I wasn't in AD then. Now I will make sure that I get an app, thanks.

Annapolly, it's so good to know this! :) Thanks and congrats too.

ChocFudge - I guess they didn't pass the message on, which is appalling. I would have thought your gp might be better at chasing a perinatal appointment, or even you contacting the hospital yourself if you have to wait too long for midwife. Perhaps ask midwife and chase the midwife until she tells you what the status is?

Thanks, yes, I'm going to be a bit more assertive this time.
Last time in my booking appointment when I mentionned that I had had postnatal depression, the young midwife said: "don't worry, we won't think you are mad or anything"
A few years ago I asked my GP to send me to therapy, still waiting

How long is long for the midwife to contact me for the booking app? I had kind of assumed that I couldn't move until I was booked. Also I'm not going to my nearest hospital...

Grrr at the young midwife - post-natal depression is nothing to do with being "mad" ---- gosh if it was me I would have been so tempted to suggest she got some training!!

ChocFudge - Gp's now have much more access to short-term therapies, like CBT due to the Government's IAP policy. They NHS recruited 3,600 new counsellors etc - so why not ask again and ask for a specific timeframe... I may be wrong but I think it still is 18week wait for referral!! And the fact you are pregnant may encourage the Gp to actually do it. I think assertiveness is sometimes the key to getting what you need.

No idea about the booking app I am afraid.

I'll probably just have a breakdown at the 1st app