Re: Paxil withdrawl in newborn

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I had a similar, though not identical, situation when I was pregnant. I took prozac (not paxil) from 16 weeks on. I too read that SSRI anti-depressants could cause "withdrawal" in newborns, and I too, when I have stopped them in the past (Paxil and Zoloft), have had "withdrawal" symptoms. However, I was on Prozac through the whole pregnancy and went straight from prozac to zoloft after giving birth (zoloft is the preferred drug for breastfeeding, although Paxil may also be OK -- I don't know). Zoloft does not show up in breastmilk. My daughter (now 9 weeks old) has shown NO signs of drug withdrawal or ill response to either drug. In fact, she is very easy, sleeps well, rarely fusses, etc., and has been this way since birth.

So, if you are planning on breastfeeding, the baby may well be protected from "withdrawal" by continued (low-level) exposure to Paxil in the breastmilk. On the other hand, with a drug like zoloft which studies seem to show does *not* pass into the breastmilk, and would therefore not be expected to affect the baby, you may still not have any problems, as my daughter has not.

I think the most important thing to consider is that, if you have a history of depression or anxiety, you are at a higher than normal risk for post-partum depression. Please keep this in mind before you decide to stop the medication before giving birth. My decision was that it was better for the baby to risk some "withdrawal" (which didn't happen anyway) and possible, unknown side effects from zoloft, than it would have been to have a depressed mother. In retrospect, I think I made the right decision for me. Of course, you may come to a different conclusion. I do recommend, if possible, seeing a psychiatrist with some experience in/knowledge of treating pregnant women. I did so, and found it very helpful in making up my mind.

Good luck!

L.

At Fri, 17 Jan 2003, JEN wrote: >
>Hello,
>
>I have been on Paxil for approximately 10 years and continue to take it
>throughout my pregnancy on the advice of my physician...
>
>I have heard from women in situations similar to mine that when their
>baby is born it is often cranky, irritable, hard to settle down and goes
>through what seems like withdrawl from the Paxil.
>

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