Antidepressant treatment during breast-feeding.
OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this article is to review critically the literature about use of antidepressants during lactation. Strategies for the clinical management of depressed breast-feeding mothers are also suggested.


METHODS
The authors conducted a computerized search of MEDLINE for articles. The review includes studies in which serum levels of drugs were obtained from nursing infants.


RESULTS
Fifteen published reports were located that provided information for the following nine antidepressants: amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine, doxepin, dothiepin, fluoxetine, sertraline, and bupropion.


CONCLUSIONS
Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine, dothiepin, and sertraline were not found in quantifiable amounts in nurslings, and no adverse effects were reported. Therefore, these are the drugs of choice for breast-feeding women. Adverse effects were described in some young infants whose mothers had been treated with doxepin or fluoxetine during breast-feeding. The collective serum level data suggest that infants older than 10 weeks are at low risk for adverse effects of tricyclics, and there is no evidence of accumulation. Research needs include an expanded database of mother-baby serum levels, behavioral assessments of infants during nursing, and longitudinal developmental evaluation of nurslings. Prescription of an antidepressant for a breast-feeding woman is a case-specific risk-benefit decision.
Wisner
K L
KL
Mood Disorders Program, Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Perel
J M
JM
Findling
R L
RL
D000367:Age Factors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004316:Doxepin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine; D004316:Doxepin