Can I take Lexapro while breastfeeding?

Can I Take Lexapro While Breastfeeding?
The question of whether it is safe to take Lexapro (escitalopram) while breastfeeding is one that many new mothers grapple with, especially when considering their mental health needs. Lexapro is a commonly prescribed antidepressant used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Understanding its implications for breastfeeding is crucial for both maternal and infant health.
Safety Profile of Lexapro During Breastfeeding
Research indicates that Lexapro is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to the LactMed database, maternal doses of escitalopram up to 20 mg daily result in low levels of the drug in breast milk. These low concentrations are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants, particularly if the child is older. This is supported by various studies that have shown no significant harmful effects on infants exposed to escitalopram through breast milk. Reports of sleepiness or weight loss in some cases have been noted, but these are not common, and most studies indicate no difference in the intellectual development of babies exposed to the medication.
Consultation with Healthcare Providers
While the general consensus leans towards the safety of Lexapro during breastfeeding, it is essential for mothers to consult their healthcare providers. Experts recommend that mothers discuss their specific circumstances with their doctors, as individual health needs can vary significantly. The decision to continue or discontinue medication should be made collaboratively, weighing the benefits of treating maternal mental health against any potential risks to the infant.
Considerations and Monitoring
If a mother decides to take Lexapro while breastfeeding, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Healthcare professionals suggest monitoring the infant for any unusual symptoms, such as excessive sleepiness or feeding difficulties. While serious side effects are rare, being vigilant can help ensure the well-being of both mother and child.
Alternative Options
In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend alternative medications that are known to be safer during breastfeeding. However, if Lexapro is the most effective option for managing a mother’s mental health, it may still be the preferred choice. The key is to find a balance that supports the mother’s mental health while ensuring the infant’s safety.
In conclusion, while Lexapro is generally deemed safe for breastfeeding mothers, it is crucial to engage in open discussions with healthcare providers to make informed decisions tailored to individual health needs. The well-being of both mother and child should always be the priority.

Can Lexapro affect breastfed babies?

Escitalopram passes into breast milk in small amounts. It does not usually cause any problems but it has been linked with side effects including being unusually irritable or restless and being sick in a few breastfed babies.

Does Lexapro affect the baby?

If you are taking escitalopram or citalopram at the time of delivery, your baby might have irritability, jitteriness, tremors (shivering), constant crying, different sleep patterns, problems with eating and controlling body temperature, and some problems with breathing.

What anxiety medication is safe while breastfeeding?

Safe medication in breastfeeding
They include, in no particular order: SSRI antidepressants e.g. sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine all have anti- anxiety activity. They take 4 to 6 weeks to exert full benefit. Tri-cyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine.

Is Lexapro or Zoloft better for anxiety?

SSRIs like Lexapro and Zoloft make more serotonin available in your brain—which in turn helps to relieve symptoms.. Some research suggests that Lexapro might be slightly more effective than Zoloft in treating depression and anxiety because it works slightly differently from other SSRIs.

Is Lexapro good for postpartum anxiety?

Typically, antidepressants—like the SSRIs Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc. —are used and work very well. They are well studied and considered relatively safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Can newborns withdraw from Lexapro?

AAP Grand Rounds (2006) 15 (6): 72–73. Depression affects approximately 9% of pregnant women, and evidence is mounting that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant use during pregnancy can induce a withdrawal syndrome in exposed newborns.

What is the safest antidepressant to take while breastfeeding?

Sertraline and paroxetine (among SSRIs) and nortriptyline and imipramine (among TCAs) are the most evidence-based medications for use during breastfeeding because of similar findings across multiple laboratories, usually undetectable infant serum levels and no reports of short term adverse events.

Does Lexapro affect breasts?

Breast tenderness isn’t among the published Lexapro side effects, but some studies and unofficial reports have linked Lexapro and breast tenderness. Lexapro may interfere with the normal processing of prolactin — a hormone that affects breast tissue. It’s possible that this could lead to breast tenderness.

How much weight gain does Lexapro have?

Increases in weight during Lexapro treatment may vary from 0.5% to more than 7% [2, 10]. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for people whose body mass index (BMI) was low before starting treatment to experience significant gains.

What happens to breastfed babies on antidepressants?

There have been a small number of case reports of adverse events in infants exposed to antidepressants in breast milk, including jitteriness, irritability, excessive crying, sleep disturbance, and feeding problems.