Taking Wellbutrin while breastfeeding?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else taken Wellbutrin while breastfeeding? My doctor says its okay but I just wanted to see if anyone else has done this and found no ill effects. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I have no experience with the drug, but I am considering treatment for PPD myself. I don't think anyone can tell you 100% that there is/will not be an effect on your child. I haven't read the package insert information (but you can certainly look it up online), but I can't believe any testing of the drug was done on nursing mothers. My best guess is that most doctors take or ask you to take a "does the benefit outweigh the risk" type of approach to treatment. The alternative would be to switch to formula so that you can get well while being 100% confident that your child is not at risk. IMHO. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I am taking Zoloft and BF 30-40% and formula for the remainder due to low milk supply. My pediatrician specifically recommended zoloft due to the class of drug that it is. Have your pediatrician tell you what class of drug Wellbutrin is. Also, she suggested taking it at time of the day when it is not at it's peak release & time that when I BF less (i.e., night feeding when I supplement most of the formula).

[Anonymous]

Also heard Zoloft was safest. http://www.kellymom.com/ is a good resource for all things breastfeeding including interactions with medicines. In the end, I think it is a cost/benefit ratio thing--yes it goes into your milk, but does a happy breastfeeding mom outweigh any potential risks? Thats a tough personal decision.

[Anonymous]

Check out the National Library of Medicine's Lacmed

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~8Hn7Oc:1

Unfortunately, There's not a lot of info available on Wellbutrin.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I will look into Zoloft but I'm hesitant because I have been treated for depression for the last 15 years (so its not just PPD). I've tried most of the medications out there (including Zoloft) and Wellbutrin has been working the best for me by far. I took it throughout my pregnancy but am concerned about nursing because of the potential for side effects.

[Anonymous]

I have been taking Wellbutrin for several years and both my OB and therapist recommended NOT taking Wellbutrin the last 3 months of pregnancy nor while breastfeeding. It is a class B drug and that means that while it is *generally* thought to be safe, there is no hard data. It has been known to make the baby anxious and restless. I went off the last 5 months of my pregnancy and just bit the bullet. I took Zoloft while nursing but then stopped nursing (sadly at 9 months because I just felt I really needed the Wellbutrin more than the Zoloft and knew I would function better.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

There is a resource called by Hale called Medicine (or Medications?) and Mother's Milk that rates various medications and their known risks. When I had to have a medication, I called the Greater Washington Breastfeeding Center, and they were able to use this guide to help me determine my best course of action.

Also, Dr. Sears has some info athttp://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t028500.asp

Best of luck

[Anonymous]

Hi I have to type quick, but just wanted to add that I have been on several different drugs including while pregnant and bfing. The best think I say is listen to your docs before listenting to complete strangers on a forum who are not as educated in this department. I have heard that wellbutrin is safe while bfing it has been out for a long time. I on the other hand at babys 7 month had to go on a different med (a world of difference) that has only been out about a year so I decided against bfing. One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I am glad I did it, but still wish I could nurse . But our cases seem totally different.

[jsteele]

I am locking this thread because it is being repeatedly attacked by spambots. If there is still interest in the topic, please create a new thread.