Citalopram and mirtazapine (and pregnancy)

[CaringForPod]

Hello,

So, I'm about five weeks pregnant (found out on Saturday). Since then I haven't taken my citalopram or mirtazapine as I have read mixed reviews of taking them while pregnant, especially mirtazapine. I just don't want to take any risks. At the moment I feel alright, despite having gone cold turkey, except for problems sleeping (which is what the mirtazapine was for). I'd read about the m crossing the placenta and how the jury was out when it came to taking it while pregnant. To be honest, I'd rather have disrupted sleep than take any risks.

Does anyone have any experience of taking these while pregnant. I'm going to see my GP later this week, but to be honest they're next to useless and usually offer no reassurance.

Mumsnetters have been great so far, so just wanted to say thanks!

Congratulations.
The only safe place to look for information about what you can and cannot take when you are pregnant is www.bnf.org
You have to register to search the site, but its free to do so. This is the website corresponding to the BNF book which every doctor uses constantly as a reference for prescribing.
I just had a quick look - the manufacturers of citalopram say you shouldn't take it when pregnant unless the benefit outweighs the risk. To put it bluntly - this means GPs should only prescribe it to pregnant women if they think to do otherwise might put the mother at risk of self harm or suicide.
On mirtazapine, the BNF says it has shown to be toxic to the fetus in studies on animals (they can't do controlled drug trials on pregnant women for obvious ethical reasons), and that a newborn will require to be monitored for withdrawal effects if the mother does take it when pregnant.
If I were you, I would keep off both of these drugs till the end of your pregnancy if you possibly can - you are right to say you would rather have problems sleeping than take the risk, by the end of your pregnancy you will struggle to sleep anyway no matter what drugs you take because you will constantly have to turn over/wee/take gaviscon etc etc!
Good luck.

Thanks, my gut instinct is to keep off them, I just don't want to take any risks.

I've been on the citalopram/other anti-depressants for the past six years (history of depression and anorexia) but my life has really picked up the last few years - got married in April and now pregnant! I'm feeling alright at the moment and like to think that with the support of close family and friends I'll be OK. The most important thing now is to keep this baby healthy.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it.

x

Hi, i just posted on your other thread too
I'm currently on 20mg of citalpram and my doctor said it was fine and my midwife said most women she see's are on them.

I done alot of reasearch before i got pregnant and spoke to so many mums about it and they all stayed on it some on higher doses.

I was recently told the new guidlines have changed and that there is hardly any risk in involved.

But like anything this is your descion and your baby only you know how you feel etc.

I tried comming off very slowly but with the pregnancy hormones i felt awful so am hallpily staying on them.

Other sites that use evidence based information and are reputable include Motherisk (international experts on medications in pregnancy & whilst breastfeeding) and rxlist.com (they give details of known side effects and issues (from studies) in far more detail than the BNF).

NHS.uk and patient.co.uk should only have evidence based information too.

The BNF can be great, but it is quite basic in the information it gives (e.g. no details of actual studies in most cases) and is also tailored towards doctors who know that, for example, manufacturers will always say don't use a medication in a pregnant woman as they won't have been able to thoroughly test it themselves and they don't want to be sued.

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. I'm seeing the GP tomorrow so will talk about it then. Hoping there's something less risky that can get my sleep back on track...