i take citalpopram and im 2 m preggo. is it safe??

[dinajrz]

Just found out I'm pregnant. So xcited. Well I take citalopram 20 mg a day for the past 5 mos. My doctor told me its up to me if I'd like to continue taking it but he advices me to stop taking it right away. I'm a bit nervous to stop taking it. I have severe depression. Any advice. Any one kno the risks of citalopram on the baby? I'd appreciate it. Tnx.

I was on escitalopram 10mg. (Not sure how different this is from citalopram?) My doctor recommended switching to prozac whilst TTC and pregnant as it has been around longer and they know more about the possible effects on the baby.

Stopping altogether sounds like a v. bad idea. Apparently the main risk with escitalopram is heart problems in the baby. But my dr said if you do take it in pregnancy then you will just need to be monitored more closely by your obstetrician and they'll do more scans, including an early one at 6 weeks to check the heart is OK.

Really irresponsible for your doctor to advise you to stop altogether IMO. Try to get a referral to a psychiatrist - they know a lot more about these medications than GPs.

most psychiatrists will recommend switching to prozac whilst pregnant as its had the most research done in its effects in pregnancy. but if citalopram is the medication that works for you, and if you have had a hard time finding the right medication it can be worth sticking with, instead of trying to battle with prenatal depression.

best advice is to speak to your psychiatrist or person who prescribed the citalopram (if it wasnt your GP) whether they think given your history, the benefits outweigh the risk.
either way dont stop taking it cold turkey, if you are going to stop taking it then make sure you follow a doctors instructions on slowly lowering the doseage.

a good idea would be to get a referral to your local community mental health services for support whilst your pregnant (especially if your going to change or stop medication), if your not already under sommeones care

I was advised to switch from Prozac to Citalopram when I found out I was pregnant, which I did. I did say that even though my depression has been quite bad I would like to come off them, and was told it would be bad idea, its better to have a happy mum aparantly.

My Midwife refered me to a Perinatal nurse, who again advised that citalopram is fine in pregnancy, as its the most reasearched A/D in pregnancy.

Good Luck with your pregnancy

hi there, wish I had had better advice! I was on Citalopram for a few months before falling pregnant and was told by doc to go straight off of it and prescribed something else, can't remember the name now, as he said it was the only safe one in pregnancy? It really didnt agree with me and made me really ill so went off alltogether. I'm now 8 months and feeling really low and kinda wished I had got a second opinion. My sister abroad was told by her doc that it was fine to stay on them too. I am hoping it is more to do with the miserable weather and my preggie hormones this late in pregnancy as feeling rather bleak today. Hope you get the right advice and help and congratulationsx

Ask your Midwife to refer you to consultant care and get their opinion, or a second GP opinion.

I took Seroxat 20mg throughout pregnancy, as agreed by my Midwife, GP and Consultant.

My GP told me that citalopram is safe to take during pregnancy.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

Congratulations!

I was on 20mg of citalopram when I got pregnant although only every other day from fairly early on as I was trying to come off anyway, the mw didn't seem bothered at all - she did refer me to A) the high risk unit at the hosp for my 12wk scan, they didn't comment on the citalopram and discharged me straight away and B) the community mental health midwife, who is specially trained to deal with pg people with mental health issues.

Doesn't sound like your doc was much help at all really, I would ask for a second opinion if I were you.

Hi im ttc baby no3 and on 20mg of citalopram and my doctor said its fine to take, no mention of anything to worry about he is a brilliant doctor i have had him since i was a child myself. I asked loads of questions as i too was worried but he told me its the safest and loads of woamn are on them whilst pregnant.

good luck