breastfeeding and Dosulepin

[lollypop2]

Has anyone taken Dosulepin whilst breastfeeding? I've just been diagnosed with post natal depression and have been prescribed this but am reluctant to take it whilst breastfeeding. My GP has said small quantities will be carried through to the breast milk but that it won't harm the baby but I'm still not sure whether to take it. I'm also worried about side effects. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has taken it.

Hi lollypop. I've been on Dosulepin long term and took it all through my pregnancy and my attempts to breast feed.

I used to work for a psychiatrist so I was very lucky to be able to ask her advice before dd was born. She said that as Dosulepin is one of the older style antidepressants, a tricyclic, it's been around for years and there has been a lot of research done on it. She advised that it was fine to breast feed while on it.

I only managed a few days of breastfeeding - it was a complete disaster and I didn't have the benefit of mumsnet then! So I can't say I breastfed for months and dd was fine, but I felt reassured that it would have been OK.

I've just been prescribed Dosulepin (Dothiepin) today my Dr and was wondering the same.

I've also posted on the breast & bottle feeding thread too. see below

I know its probably been asked about loads on here but is it safe to take whilst bf?
I did tell the dr that I was bf and he looked through his big drugs book, but reading through the leaflet it says not to take them without checking with dr first.
Just want reassurance I guess really. I'll be taking 50mg at night (2 x 25mg's)
Thanks

I've since looked up Dosulepin on the internet and the information seems to show that although a small amount does pass through the breast milk to the baby that it isn't harmful to the baby in any way. It is also one of the older AD so there is more research around to prove that it doesn't harm the baby.
Thanks Surfermum for your take on it too, its reassuring to know that another medical professional has given it the ok. Although I'm a bit concerned that its supposed to make you sleepy which is why you have to take it at night, I don't have a problem sleeping, in fact I'm always tired so am a bit worried what effect they will have on me!

That was my reaction too about it making you sleepy! I've never had a problem sleeping either. When I was ill I found that it just slowly lifted my mood and I can't say I felt sedated or anything like that. Now I'm well it just gives me a really good night's sleep and I can really tell the difference on the nights I forget. I was still able to wake in the night to feed dd which was my other worry.

I can honestly say I've never noticed any side effects. I've often said to my GP that I'm a walking advert for them!

I'm on 25mg per day and breastfeeding. I told teh doctor and she did the same as burstingbugs doc and looked through her big book to check first. She did warn me it would make me sleepy/drowsy but wouldn't knock me out so much that I wouldn't hear ds if he woke and she was right.

I'm taking 75 mg and bf. I've noticed that until my dd got used to it, she would sleep through the night (7 p.m. - 7 a.m.)(she is only 12 weeks old today). But that did not last and she now awakes once in the night for a feed.

How are you getting on with it Chipperann? Any side effects. Did it make you really sleepy? I've still not started taking it yet!