Fluoxetine and pregnancy?

[samanthajonespr]

I've just swapped 100mg Sertraline to 20mg of Fluoxetine a week ago for my severe depression and OCD.
I've just found out I'm pregnant (5 weeks tomorrow) and I just wondered if anybody has carried on with the Fluoxetine while they're pregnant? I'm scared that something will happen but I can't get a Drs appointment to discuss it.

Hi. I am on fluoxetine & now 8 weeks pg. Dr said to continue for now, risks are more apparent later on I think, last trimester. So it gives you time to wean off if needed. My Dr said to keep taking them as your mental health is paramount & the risks are quite low. Still see your GP to check their advice but hope that helps in meantime. Congratulations.

Thank you, @CatMama7 you've put my mind at ease for now until I can see my GP. Starting CBT next week so can hopefully wean off tablets altogether by the time I get to the final months

Oh and congratulations to you too!!

Hi my doctor took me straight of fluexotine When I told them I was pregnant struggling without them still and I’m 20 weeks now they offered other tablets but they didn’t work for me

It's confusing how they differ.

@samanthajonespr good luck with CBT, it did me the world if good.

You can stay on antidepressants while pregnant. I continued to take 37.5mg venlafaxine 2x a day through two pregnancies. I've been on it long term withdrawal is very difficult.

They may want to monitor your baby for withdrawal symptoms for 48 hours after the birth, which would mean two nights in hospital. I had this with both my DCs. They were absolutely fine both times.

Thank you ladies for your very useful replies. It was just one of those panic moments! Dr said it's ok but can transfer into breastmilk afterwards. Think that's jumping a bit too far ahead into the future so I'll just take each stage as it comes

Really angry to hear someone got taken straight off fluoxetine and is struggling! Your mental health is important and the risks to the baby are minimal! There is no medical reason to take you off fluoxetine, it sounds like a kneejerk reaction. Fluoxetine and sertraline are both safe in pregnancy. I went from 20mg FL to 10 when I found out. It was really tough to withdraw, but I managed. I'm coping on the lower dose, but both the consultant I saw and the perinatal mental health nurse (as well as the GP actually) insisted it's safe and there is no need to stop taking it. The nurse did recommend I switch to sertraline as it's safer in breastfeeding, so seeing the GP about that next week.