Celexa Use in Pregnancy Relatively Safe: Study

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The antidepressant citalopram (Celexa) may be used cautiously in pregnant women, according to a report from Canada. The researchers report no excess birth defect risk, although an increased risk of "poor neonatal adaptation syndrome" was seen with late use of the drug.

Symptoms of poor neonatal adaptation syndrome include jitteriness, irritability, eating and sleeping difficulties, convulsions, vomiting, and low blood sugar; these symptoms are usual transient and not life-threatening.

Overall, the researchers say, "our data suggest that pregnant women who require pharmacotherapy with citalopram may continue their treatment during pregnancy with close monitoring of their condition by a qualified medical professional."

Previous studies investigating the safety of citalopram during pregnancy failed to demonstrate an increased risk of birth defects, the authors further explain in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Nevertheless, some women choose to discontinue their drug therapy during pregnancy out of fear of harming the unborn child.

Anna Sivojelezova and colleagues from The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, investigated whether citalopram use during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including birth defects and neonatal complications, in 396 women.

The researchers report in that among 108 women exposed to citalopram during the first trimester, only one baby was born with a major malformation, a case of umbilical and scrotal hernia necessitating surgical correction.

The rate of perinatal complications after third trimester exposure to citalopram was not increased over that in women not exposed to citalopram, but the risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission increased fourfold.

The investigators believe that the increased rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission may have resulted from an increased incidence of poor neonatal adaptation syndrome, which has previously been reported after late pregnancy exposure to citalopram and other so-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, more study is needed to prove this mechanism beyond doubt, the authors say.

"In summary," the team writes, "our findings do not support an association between citalopram with any major teratogenic risk in humans."

SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Thanks for posting this article! That was very informative. :)

Thanks for the information. It's really good...

I have found this bit of information:
So, for the ones new to this medication, it would be advisable to consult a doctor fisrt.

This post has been edited by lizard: May 24 2006, 05:49 PM

That is a really good article. Would this article apply to Lexapro use during pregnancy?

i have been wondering about citalopram and pregnancy for a while, thanks xx

Thank you for posting this - i'm on celexa long term now and my partner and I do want kids so its nice to know.

Now, I'm just one little anecdote, but I started taking Celexa (20 mg to start) 15 weeks into my second pregnancy. I did not reduce my dosage or stop taking it near the end. Baby was born perfectly healthy and showed no effects at all from the Celexa. I continue to take it now (50 mg now) and am still breast feeding her at 13 months. She has never been anything but a healthy, even-tempered, energetic baby.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone finds all that reassuring. Oh, and I know at least two other women whose experiences taking Celexa during pregnancy and while breastfeeding were very similar to mine.

Few, medications have been proved safe without question during pregnancy.Research continues, however and the latest studies on anti depressants and pregnancy offer some reassurance.Overall the risk of birth defects and other problems for babies of mother who take anti depressants during pregnancy is very low other antidepressant are fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline.

Thanks for this reassuring information. I'm 18 weeks into my pregnancy and just started taking Citalophram/Celexa for the first time. I'm on 10mgs to start with. I was really nervous about it being as I'm pregnant but doctor reassures me he has used it sparingly with other pregnant women and its really helped them.

I read that its adviseable to stop taking them a few weeks before delivery? Did you do this or is it not necessary? I'm a little worried about coming off them sudden;y just as I give birth and feeling very overwhelmed?