It has been the assumption that Prozac is not the "preferred"
antidepressant for breastfeeding women because of its very long half life,
however...in that recent study that we have been batting around by Birnbaum
et al. the conclusion is that...since none of the antidepressants showed up
in infant blood screens.....the risk is probably very low and the drug of
choice is what will work for the mother. (I am paraphrasing this).

If a mom is most responsive to Prozac, and her psychiatrist wants to put
her back on it...a suggestion is made that the infant could be tested for
levels...to allay any anxiety about this. Of course, if Zoloft is as good
as Paxil is as good as Prozac for this mom...the shorter acting variety may
be preferable but......that is complicated and all of these drugs don't
work for everybody.

I am of the belief that being raised by a depressed mom is far riskier than
a miniscule risk of getting some Prozac via Breastmilk. Happily, this IS
becoming a common belief among more progressive psych. MDs. There are
several of them in my community!

Susan Keith-Hergert RN, MS, CPN, IBCLC
Mercy Health Partners
Cincinnati, Ohio




[log in to unmask] on 07/17/99 12:56:39 PM

Please respond to Lactation Information and Discussion
      <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Susan J Keith-Hergert/MGCR/CHP)

Subject:  Prozac.




Dear Folks:
        Prozac is not the first choice for a breastfeeding mother because
it
has a long half-life (and thus accumulates) and because its metabolite (the
breakdown chemical formed as prozac is metabolized) is also bioactive. See
Hale's book for details. Warmly, Nikki Lee
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