MotherToBaby

Medications and More during pregnancy and breastfeeding

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Citalopram/Escitalopram (Celexa®/Lexapro®)

Selected References:

  • Andersen JT, et al.   Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in early pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage.  Obstet Gynecol 124: 655-661.
  • Anderson KN et al. 2020. Maternal use of specific antidepressant medications during early pregnancy and the risk of selected birth defects. JAMA Psychiatry. 77(12):1246-1255
  • Bérard A, et al. 2017. SSRI and SNRI use during pregnancy and the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 May;83(5):1126-1133.
  • Berle JO, et al. 2004. Breastfeeding during maternal antidepressant treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors: infant exposure, clinical symptoms, and cytochrome P450 genotypes. J Clin Psychiatry. 65:1228-1234.
  • Bonari L, et al. 2004. Perinatal risks of untreated depression during pregnancy. Can J Psychiatry 49(11):726-735.
  • Chambers CD, et al. 2006. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. N Engl J Med 354:579-587.
  • Einarson A, et al. 2009. Incidence of major malformations in infants following antidepressant exposure in pregnancy: results of a large prospective cohort study. Can J Psychiatry 54(4):242-246.
  • Ericson A, et al. 1999. Delivery outcome after the use of antidepressants in early pregnancy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 55:503-508.
  • Grigoriadis S, et al. 2013. The effect of prenatal antidepressant exposure on neonatal adaptation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Psychiatry.74(4):e309-20.
  • Heikkinen T, et al. 2002. Citalopram in pregnancy and lactation. Clin Pharmacol Ther 72:184-191.
  • Heikkine T, et al. 2002. Transplacental transfer of citalopram, fluoxetine, and their primary demethylated metabolites in isolated perfused human placenta. Br J Obstet Gynecol 109:1003-1008.
  • Jordan AE, et al. 2008. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor use in pregnancy and the neonatal behavioral syndrome. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 21(10):745-751.
  • Huybrechts KF, et al. 2014. Antidepressant use in pregnancy and the risk of cardiac defects. N Engl J Med. 370(25):2397-407.
  • Kallen BAJ and Otterblad Olausson P. 2007. Maternal use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in early pregnancy and infant congenital malformations. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 79(4):301-308.
  • Kallen B and Otterblad Olausson P. 2008. Maternal use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 17:801-806.
  • Kieler H, et al. 2012. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and risk of persistend pulmonary hypertension in the newborn: population based cohort study from the five Noridc countries. BMJ; 344:d8012.
  • Kieviet N, et al. 2015. Risk factors for poor neonatal adaptation after exposure to antidepressants in utero. Acta Paediatr. 104(4):384-91.
  • Louik C, et al. 2007. First-trimester use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and the risk of birth defects. N Engl J Med 356:2675-2683.
  • Moses-Kolko, EL, et al. 2005. Neonatal signs after late in utero exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Literature review and implications for clinical applications. JAMA 293:2372-2383.
  • Newport DJ, et al. 2002. The treatment of postpartum depression: Minimizing infant exposure. J Clin Psychiatry 63(Suppl 7): 31-44.
  • Rampono J, et al. 2006. Transfer of escitalopram and its metabolite demethylescitalopram into breastmilk. Br J Clin Pharmacol 3:316-22.
  • Reefhuis J, et al. 2015. Specific SSRIs and birth defects: bayesian analysis to interpret new data in the context of previous reports. Bmj. 351:h3190.
  • Reis M and Kallen B. 2010. Delivery outcome after maternal use of antidepressant drugs in pregnancy: an update using Swedish data. Psychol Med 40 (10):1723-1733.
  • Sivojelezova A, et al. 2005. Citalopram use in pregnancy: prospective comparative evaluation of pregnancy and fetal outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 193:2004-9.
  • Tabacova SA, et al. 2004. Adverse developmental events reported to FDS in association with maternal citlopram treatment in pregnancy. Birth Defects Res 70:361.
  • Wang S, et al. 2015. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Journal of the American Heart Association. 4(5).
  • Weissman AM, et al. 2004. Pooled analysis of antidepressant levels in lactating mothers, breast milk, and nursing infants. Am J Psychiatry. 161:1066-1078.