taking citalopram

[clare2012]

hi i have just found out im pregnant about 6 weeks i am currently on 30mg of citalopram, i have always been on 20mg but a couple of months ago i was increased to 30mg. my doctor scared me by saying i should stop taking the medication and now i am really worried i could harm the baby, im thinking the worst my anxiety is very bad at the moment. constantly in a panic, im wondering wheter its my hormones aswell. has anyone else had this experience i feel alone at the moment x

Hi,

I was on this when I first found out I was pregnant and my GP advised that there were no known side effects to the baby. I was on 10mg (20 sent me loopy) ask your GP to reduce the dose and see if it helps you still. I stopped taking almost straight away and put coping mechnisims in place, little things like writing down what was on my mind. Hormones do not help as there aew other things to worry about. Try not to worry though, easier said than done.

xx

Its my understanding that due to the lack of proven research in to medicines and the effects on babies that is why they prefer to stop it, there have been some links found with Citalopram and eye sight issues in babies, and during the third trimester if your taking it there is a possibility of the baby having withdrawals when its born

These are not well researched and not totally proven so please dont panic im just trying to give you a clear picture- my advice would be that you ring your local hospital and asked to speak with the pharmasist, they are very aproachable and will give you proper advice about risks and benefits. You should also be refered sooner rather than later for an appointment with the psychiatric team so that they can monitor you and provide any support needed, chat to your midwife about this she can arrange it

Just a final point you have to do what suits you, and if coming off them would make your pregnancy hell then thats no better for the baby or you. There is some research that other anti depressants are believed to be safer in pregnancy though so thats why I think a chat with the hospital pharmasist would be beneficial for you. Hope that helps - Ive been taking Citalopram for a few years myself

thankyou for your help, surely if these were so bad there would be a lot more research and women surely wouldnt be able to take them. im just trying to think positve about it, pregnant women smoke surely that is worse.

hotpotpie did you take them through your pregnancy?

There isnt research because its too unethical, no I stopped about two months before I got pregnant I knew that I was going to try so took my chances, and to be fair have managed ok with the odd wobble, my symptoms are more OCD and low mood than anxiety though

Like I say its a very individual decision you just need to make sure that you make an informed one :)

Hey, I can assure you you are not alone. There are, no doubt, several thousands of women through out the world who are pregnant and taking citalopram. Perhaps you should go back to your GP and get further advice and support.

Please don't worry.

My bf took 20mg citalopram all the way through her pg, no problems at all.

However, citalopram has very recently been linked to heart palpitations and problems in the taker, ie you. My friend has been taken off them now and out on Prozac.

I think speaking to your hospital pharmacist is a good idea.

I used to suffer with anxiety and panic attacks terribly and they are horrendous things to go through. But you have to remember that if the dr thinks the benefit of taking the citalopram outweighs the risks, and if your mw thinks that too, please don't worry yourself unnecessarily.

Good luck with your pg

Whatever you do, don't just stop taking it - at that sort of dose, you'll get terrible withdrawal.

I was on citalopram before ttc, and the GP basically said it's a risk thing - you should generally be on as little medication as possible when pg, but if there's a greater risk to you if you're not on it, then it's worth continuing to take. Basically, it depends if you think you'd cope without it.

My doctor switched me to Sertraline when we started ttc as they said it was much safer, it was a difficult transition but worth it for peace of mind. I ended up phasing that out last year as well. Good luck to you.