What effects does Wellbutrin have on newborns?

Understanding the Effects of Wellbutrin on Newborns
Wellbutrin, known generically as bupropion, is an antidepressant commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. While its benefits for treating maternal depression are well-documented, concerns arise regarding its effects on newborns when taken during pregnancy.
Potential Symptoms in Newborns
Research indicates that newborns exposed to Wellbutrin in utero may experience a range of symptoms shortly after birth. These can include irritability, jitteriness, trouble sleeping, and difficulty feeding. However, it is important to note that not all infants exposed to this medication will exhibit these symptoms. In fact, some studies suggest that the likelihood of these withdrawal-like symptoms may be lower with bupropion compared to other antidepressants, which is a significant consideration for expectant mothers weighing their treatment options.
Severity and Duration of Symptoms
The symptoms observed in newborns are typically transient and may resolve within a few days to weeks. The severity of these symptoms can vary widely among infants, and many may not show any adverse effects at all. This variability underscores the importance of individualized care and monitoring for infants born to mothers who have taken Wellbutrin during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Considerations
For mothers who are breastfeeding, the transfer of bupropion into breast milk is relatively low. Studies indicate that maternal doses of up to 300 mg daily are unlikely to cause significant adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, there are limited reports on the effects of bupropion in very young infants, and some case reports have raised concerns about potential seizures in breastfed newborns. This highlights the need for careful consideration and consultation with healthcare providers regarding medication use during breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, while Wellbutrin can be an effective treatment for depression in mothers, its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding requires careful monitoring. The potential for mild withdrawal symptoms in newborns exists, but these symptoms are generally less severe compared to those associated with other antidepressants. As always, mothers should work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure the best outcomes for both themselves and their infants.

What does Wellbutrin do to hormones?

BUPROPION (byoo PROE pee on) treats depression. It increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, hormones that help regulate mood. It belongs to a group of medications called NDRIs. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Can Wellbutrin affect the baby?

Taking bupropion while breastfeeding is not expected to cause harmful effects for most breastfed infants. There are two case reports of seizures in 6-month-old babies exposed to bupropion through breast milk. The seizures stopped when bupropion was no longer used.

What are the side effects of Wellbutrin in newborns?

Bupropion may cause short-term withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby if taken in the weeks before delivery. For this reason, a baby may be monitored for some time after birth to check for symptoms such as jitteriness, difficulty sleeping and breathing problems.

How do antidepressants affect babies?

It is known from clinical practice that pregnant mothers exposed to antidepressants have more spontaneous abortions and an increased number of stillbirths. Treatment in the third trimester of pregnancy is closely linked to an increased incidence of Poor Neonatal Adaptation (PNA).

Do babies have withdrawals from Wellbutrin?

There are no reports of third trimester exposure to bupropion and withdrawal symptoms in babies. Some infants whose mothers took other antidepressants near the end of pregnancy have had withdrawal symptoms like irritability, jitteriness, sleep disturbances, or eating difficulties.

Do newborns withdraw from antidepressants?

According to observational studies and meta-analyses of observational studies, approximately one third of the neonates of mothers treated with SSRIs/venlafaxine during pregnancy develop a withdrawal syndrome (Shea et al., 2021; Wang & Cosci, 2021).

What are the side effects of Wellbutrin the first week?

During the first week or two of taking Wellbutrin, you may experience headaches, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, sore throat, and a fast heartbeat. Other common side effects for Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL can include: Abdominal pain. Anxiety.

Does Wellbutrin affect breastfeeding?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Limited information indicates that maternal bupropion doses of up to 300 mg daily produce low levels in breastmilk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

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.

Does Wellbutrin affect birth control?

No interactions were found between Wellbutrin XL and Yaz.