Antidepressants may affect lactation

CINCINNATI, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say antidepressant drugs may be linked to lactation difficulties in new mothers.

Study co-author Nelson Horseman of the University of Cincinnati says common antidepressants like fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, affect mood, emotion and sleep and may affect serotonin regulation in the breast and place new mothers at greater risk of a delay in the establishment of a full-milk supply.

Horseman and colleagues examined the effects of these drugs on lactation using laboratory studies of human and animal cell lines and genetically modified mice.

An observational study of 431 postpartum women found median onset of lactation was 85.8 hours post-partum for the antidepressant-treated mothers and 69.1 hours for mothers not treated with these drugs. Secretory activation occurring later than 72 hours postpartum is considered delayed.

"SSRI drugs are very helpful medications for many moms, so understanding and ameliorating difficulties moms experience can help them achieve their goals for breastfeeding their babies," Horseman said in a statement. "More human research is needed before we can make specific recommendations regarding SSRI use during breastfeeding."

The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.