Sertraline

[mumtobe2]

Just had Sertraline dose increased from 50mg to 100 mg.Am currently breastfeeding my dd.Anyone breastfed on 100mg Sertraline?.Am really worried .

Hi, below is the SPC (summary of product characteristics ) of sertraline. This is the information that the drug companies have to supply to get the drug licensed. Not the leaflet that you get in the box.

Hopefully you will find it useful and should ask the pharmacist as well as your GP for further advice.

^4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy: Although animal studies did not provide any evidence of teratogenicity, the safety of sertraline during human pregnancy has not been established. As with all drugs sertraline should only be used in pregnancy if the potential benefits of treatment to the mother outweigh the possible risks to the developing foetus.

Lactation: Sertraline is known to be excreted in breast milk. Its effects on the nursing infant have not yet been established. If treatment with sertraline is considered necessary, discontinuation of breast-feeding should be considered^

Hope this hasnt worried you too much but many gp's prescribe these medications without understanding the full info on them.

(personal issues with AD's)

My psychiatric consultant considers this one safest among all for BF mothers.

Some consultants on here have posted similar views.

Expatinscotland
Whilst most psychiatric consultants do use this medication the SPC clearly states that this drug has not been tested on humans during pregnancy and breast feeding and suggests that discontinuation of breast feeding should be considered.

I feel that mumtobe2 has a right to know what the drug company states in its report to the licensing body, as this should be the definitive guideline.

i suggested that mumtobe2 went to see her gp or local pharmacist to discuss its use with them before she made a final decision.

i have not suggested a personal opinion on the use of this drug in any way.

my doctor has given me this and says it is the safest one for BF-ing my baby whilst taking. i am on 50mg though.

I was on 100 mg when I gave birth and was bfing ds. The consultant did a bit of research for me and reckoned it was better to breast feed on it than bottle feed as the benefits of bfing outweighed any potential risk the drug migh thave.

Hi,
The website
www.parentsandkids.co.uk has a list of all AD's and their tiny levels (if found) in breastfed babies.

click on the taking antidepressants while breastfeeding link.

hope that helps

'i have not suggested a personal opinion on the use of this drug in any way. '

um, sue, in no way did i say you had.

in fact, i never mentioned you in the post. only my experience and what my and some consultants on here have written.

is there a reason why you are taking this so personally or singling out my post as some sort of personal affront?

no ADs have been tested on pregnant or lactating mothers.

nowhere did i tell mumtobe what to do, either.

of course, i'd assume she'd discussed her issues with her doctor and if she hasn't, then she should.

that's okay with you, i hope.

Perhaps i took your comments wrong and for that i am sorry, Its not always easy to know how to take things that are written and obviously i took offence at something i felt was a jibe that wasnt. I didnt suggest that you had told anyone what to do. I'm glad that this medication worked for you and that everything went well. i do feel that perhaps another AD would be better when breast feeding though.

i will agree that yes i do have personal issues with AD's, especially Sertraline. And that some consultants prescribe medications without assessing the situation/side effects first.

apologies for any offence, confusion and distress caused.

I am on 100mg and feeding DS3. He seems fine!

I'm taking 50mg of sertraline & was still bfing DS a few times a week when I started a few weeks ago (although he has since stopped). I went armed with a list in order of preference of ADs suitable for bfing mums when I first saw my GP & we had a very good discussion about the list, what possible side effects they all have, how addictive they are & in the end decided sertraline would be the best to try first which pleased me as it's top of the list according to Hale (author of breastfeeding & medications book).

You might find these links useful mumtobe:
www.kellymom.com/health/meds/antidepressants-hale10-02.html
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Postnatal-depression-and-antidepressant-use-in-breastfeeding.pd f

Thanks everybody have looked at these links and going to discuss further with doctor tommorow.

if you still feel unsure, mum, don't hesitate to request referral to psychiatric consultant.

also, if you do chose to go on ADs, please keep note of any side effects. don't suffer in silence if you feel those side effects are not acceptable to you.

best of luck!

Hi expat thanks for that.Have been referred to counsellor linked to practice and taking 100 mg sertraline daily.Have took it before so I know the score with it.Thanks.

I'm so glad you're going for counselling, too!

Wishing you the best in this time.

I'm glad you haven't had side effects that are unpleasant.

I've been okay on sert myself - am on 50mg just now as am pregnant, but as I have had PND 2 times now I imagine I'll be on 100mg myself after this one is born.

Its more anxiety than depression.Obsessive thoughts expat.They do make me feel depressed tho as feel like i have no control on them.