Citalopram and breastfeeding
Especially over the past year of the pandemic many mothers are asking about the compatibility of citalopram during breastfeeding. It has been a hard time for everyone with the incidence of anxiety and depression continuing to rise. As access to IAPT ( https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/) may be more difficult the prescription of medication is inevitable. Alternative CBT access may be available on line via and IESO (https://www.iesohealth.com/en-gb)
Citalopram is widely used and we have a high level of experience with it over many years. It is the drug of choice if it has been used by the mother in the past.
Unfortunately many doctors are, in my experience, still recommending that mothers should stop breastfeeding in order to take antidepressants. This may be that they think life would be easier if someone else could help with care of the baby or that the mother may get more sleep. Sadly, this doesnt always happen and the loss of oxytocin may also lower mood further.
There is often an assumption that pressure to breastfeed can lead to depression but in my experience pressure to stop breastfeeding in order to take medication may increase depression and may also stop mothers accessing professional help to avoid having that discussion.
This link to the RCGP perinatal mental health toolkit may be useful for professionals and parents
RCGP perinatal mental health toolkit
This factsheet contains information from my book Breastfeeding and Medication. Please message me for references used or with any questions.
citalopram and breastfeeding factsheet
Breastfeeding and chronic medical conditions contains chapters on anxiety and depression
wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk
Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions
Today is my birthday but I decided I wanted to share my day with the wider world so I have decreased the price of Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions. The paperpack is now £9.99 instead of £14.99 and the kindle reduced to £4.99 from £9.99 . I hope that it answers many of the questions asked including painkillers, antibiotics and procedures as well as breastfeeding problems and the many medical conditions.
Rosacea and breastfeeding
It is funny how questions come in groups. At the moment many mothers are contacting me with questions about Rosacea particularly wanting to use Soolantra (Ivermectin cream).
This is the chapter from my book Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions which I hope helps. https://tinyurl.com/mbbebe8x
The information on ivermectin cream is limited but Hale suggests a relative infant dose of 1.3 even after oral medication, so topical absorption is unlikely to affect a breastfed infant.
Please email me with any questions wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk
Rosacea and breastfeeding factsheet
