Anyone else on citalopram?

[inthewoods4]

Hi all, I'm 5wks and am still taking citalopram after a spell of anxiety and low mood in Jan. (Initially triggered by PND) My doc says she's happy for me to stay on it, but just wonderd if anyone else is in the same position? XX

HI I was moved off citalopram and put on sertraline as my GP recommended it was the lowest risk pill to be on.... I hasten to add that risks are low though for most of them these days. Might be worth just asking if its worth shifting, or whether if you're happy and balanced on your current drugs its best to stay on them.

I was on a low dose (20mg) when I found out at 5 weeks. Spoke to my GP and ended up weaning myself off it by the time I was 13w. I was also having cbt at the time too. I was prepared to stay on the citalopram if I needed it though.

I'm now 34w and baby is fine.

Thank you, I feel that coming off them might be quite hard as when I went on them I had such horrible side effects, I don't want the same to happen - especially while in the early stages! I think maybe later on, when I'm feeling a bit more secure in the pregnancy I might be able to reduce. X

No need to reduce them or stop taking them if you don't want to, and your doctor has recommended you stay on them. Definitely go down the weaning route if you do decide to stop taking them, perhaps try cross-tapering to sertraline if you're concerned about breastfeeding.
Personally, the risk I pose to my child is far greater when I'm unmedicated so continuing on my dose of 100mg sertraline was the right decision for me. Please don't worry; it's still such a taboo to take medication during pregnancy, but it's perfectly safe in most cases! :)

Thank you Peaceloveandbiscuits, that's so reassuring. It's horrible isn't it - whatever we do we're made to feel we're doing the wrong thing! x

I'm on sertraline , used to have citalopram. Now 33 weeks x

I have to say people in the know eg GPs, midwives etc have seemed to me not in the slightest bit judgemental or worried about anti depressants. All have said to me that if I'm likely to be a calmer and more together person on them, best I stay on them, and risk to baby is minimal. Its generally people who have never suffered from mental illness who might judge, but TBH I don't worry about those people, as they are forming an opinion based on no experience.

Hey, I weaned myself off just before I got pregnant but ended up going back onto 20mg at 12 weeks. You have to make sure you are going to be the best mum you can be and if you don't feel ready to come off the tablets then you probably shouldn't. Speak to your go, mine was fine about me going back onto them and midwife didn't mention much about it. I was worried about going back on them but I'm back to myself already and i want to be at my best for when baby is born. If you are on a really high dose they may suggest you reduce it I guess

Sorry that should say gp!

Thanks everyone, I feel so much more reassured. I'm on 30mg which I guess is a slightly high dose, but it's what works for me. After having PND with my first DD, I'm really nervous about another. I think the citalopram will keep me on an even keel - I hope! X

Hello, here is a patient information leaflet about use of citalopram in pregnancy. Hope this is helpful
www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Citalopram/

If you want to look at information for the other SSRIs, there are also leaflets on escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline at www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

Thank you LittlePeasMummy1, that's really helpful! It's reassuring but also a bit scary, but I suppose there's always a risk of problems whether you take an anti-d or not... did you with your little one/ones?
xxx

Hi woods

I work for UKTIS who wrote the info leaflet.

I didn't take ADs, however, my pregnancy was an IVF pregnancy after years of failed attempts and so I did take a shedload of other medications, some of which have been linked with an increased risk of birth defects. I totally understand where you are coming from about it being tricky to weigh up the risks and benefits. Even though I do this every day at work it wasn't easy, it is difficult when it is your pregnancy and emotions are involved.

What the data for SSRIs does seem to show is that the vast majority of babies born to women taking SSRIs are perfectly healthy. When deciding whether to take a medication or not, pregnant women have to bear their own health in mind, for their own sake of course, but also because this can sometimes affect the baby.

Your doctor or midwife should always be happy to discuss this with you and to help you make the best decision for you.

Good luck with everything :)

Thank you LittlePeas, I feel a lot better now. I think all I can do is relax now and enjoy my pregnancy. I don't want the worry about potential risks to take over! Thank you again xx

No problems. Do try and enjoy it, its such a special time :)

PS, forgot to say my little one (now almost 2) was fine despite the increased risk. What you have to bear in mind is that for many things, although we might say overall that the risk is increased, each individual generally still has a very small chance of an adverse outcome.