After delivery, a few mothers may slip into depression due to the additional responsibilities with an infant. As a result, doctors may prescribe an antidepressant, Bupropion, marketed under Wellbutrin. If you wonder if this drug is safe, this post on “Wellbutrin while breastfeeding” answers your query. A small amount of Wellbutrin may reach the baby through the breastmilk. This could concern a few mothers, making them stop their intake. However, learning more about the drug and its side effects could help you decide better since your overall well-being is also a priority. Here’s all you need to know about it when nursing and a few tips for its safe intake.
What is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin, the drug name being bupropion, is a medication indicated for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and depression. Buproprion is also available under the trade names Zyban, Forfivo XL, Buproban, Budeprion and Aplenzin. The medication is available as Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, and the generic bupropion. They vary in the way the chemical enters the body. For instance, Wellbutrin, Zyban and generic bupropion are classified under “immediate release” bupropion, Wellbutrin SR as “intermediate release” and Wellbutrin XL as “extended release”. What do these various ‘release’ mean? Immediate release means that the formulation of the drug is released into the bloodstream immediately, for a short span. The SR formulation mixes in the blood gradually in 12 hours while XL takes 24 hours. Wellbutrin belongs to the antidepressant class of drugs called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI). These help in balancing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters in the brain that enhance your mood (1). Keep reading to learn if a breastfeeding mother can have it as an anti-depressant.
Is Wellbutrin Safe While Breastfeeding?
Yes. In most cases, Buproprion is not harmful to the baby, as the drug enters the breast milk in small amounts. A nursing mother need not stop breastfeeding her baby while taking the drug. However, make sure to check for any reactions in your baby. Observe him keenly. Check for the symptoms such as vomiting, sedation, diarrhea, and jitteriness. Measuring serum levels may rule out toxicity concerns. According to Dr. Hale of Hale’s Medications & Mothers’ Milk, Wellbutrin is considered an L3 – Limited Data-Probably Compatible. Hale uses a system from L1 through L5, with L1 being the safest to take when breastfeeding and L5 being the least safe. Since Wellbutrin is considered an L3, one should observe the baby for any signs of sedation, irritability, seizures, not waking up to feed/ poor feeding and weight gain.
What Does Research Say?
Research reveals that an average of 0.2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of bupropion and 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of bupropion plus metabolites is received by an infant on exclusive breastfeeding (2). In an uncontrolled online survey conducted on 930 nursing mothers on the antidepressant, nearly 10% infants displayed infant drug discontinuation symptoms such as uncontrollable crying, low body temperature, irritability, eating and sleeping disorders. The discontinuation symptoms were less noticed in babies whose mothers used antidepressants only while nursing, compared to those who had them even during pregnancy (3). One report showed that a baby exposed to buproprion had seizures (4). As the mother stopped the drug, the seizures too stopped. While research shows the impact on the baby, the mother too has the risk of facing side effects.
Side Effects Of Taking Wellbutrin While Breastfeeding
According to Dr. Hale, some of the common side effects are headache, restlessness, agitation, sleep disturbances, seizures, blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea. Use is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders. Seek immediate medical advice if you have any side effects after taking medicine. Is there a way you can reduce the effect of the drug on yourself and your baby?
Care To Be Taken While Taking Bupropion
Follow these simple measures to mitigate side effects for you and your baby. Note: Any drug should be continued or discontinued only with the doctor’s approval.
References:
title: “Is It Safe To Take Wellbutrin While Breastfeeding " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-21” author: “Clarence January”
After delivery, a few mothers may slip into depression due to the additional responsibilities with an infant. As a result, doctors may prescribe an antidepressant, Bupropion, marketed under Wellbutrin. If you wonder if this drug is safe, this post on “Wellbutrin while breastfeeding” answers your query. A small amount of Wellbutrin may reach the baby through the breastmilk. This could concern a few mothers, making them stop their intake. However, learning more about the drug and its side effects could help you decide better since your overall well-being is also a priority. Here’s all you need to know about it when nursing and a few tips for its safe intake.
What is Wellbutrin?
Wellbutrin, the drug name being bupropion, is a medication indicated for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder and depression. Buproprion is also available under the trade names Zyban, Forfivo XL, Buproban, Budeprion and Aplenzin. The medication is available as Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL and Wellbutrin SR, and the generic bupropion. They vary in the way the chemical enters the body. For instance, Wellbutrin, Zyban and generic bupropion are classified under “immediate release” bupropion, Wellbutrin SR as “intermediate release” and Wellbutrin XL as “extended release”. What do these various ‘release’ mean? Immediate release means that the formulation of the drug is released into the bloodstream immediately, for a short span. The SR formulation mixes in the blood gradually in 12 hours while XL takes 24 hours. Wellbutrin belongs to the antidepressant class of drugs called norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI). These help in balancing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters in the brain that enhance your mood (1). Keep reading to learn if a breastfeeding mother can have it as an anti-depressant.
Is Wellbutrin Safe While Breastfeeding?
Yes. In most cases, Buproprion is not harmful to the baby, as the drug enters the breast milk in small amounts. A nursing mother need not stop breastfeeding her baby while taking the drug. However, make sure to check for any reactions in your baby. Observe him keenly. Check for the symptoms such as vomiting, sedation, diarrhea, and jitteriness. Measuring serum levels may rule out toxicity concerns. According to Dr. Hale of Hale’s Medications & Mothers’ Milk, Wellbutrin is considered an L3 – Limited Data-Probably Compatible. Hale uses a system from L1 through L5, with L1 being the safest to take when breastfeeding and L5 being the least safe. Since Wellbutrin is considered an L3, one should observe the baby for any signs of sedation, irritability, seizures, not waking up to feed/ poor feeding and weight gain.
What Does Research Say?
Research reveals that an average of 0.2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of bupropion and 2% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage of bupropion plus metabolites is received by an infant on exclusive breastfeeding (2). In an uncontrolled online survey conducted on 930 nursing mothers on the antidepressant, nearly 10% infants displayed infant drug discontinuation symptoms such as uncontrollable crying, low body temperature, irritability, eating and sleeping disorders. The discontinuation symptoms were less noticed in babies whose mothers used antidepressants only while nursing, compared to those who had them even during pregnancy (3). One report showed that a baby exposed to buproprion had seizures (4). As the mother stopped the drug, the seizures too stopped. While research shows the impact on the baby, the mother too has the risk of facing side effects.
Side Effects Of Taking Wellbutrin While Breastfeeding
According to Dr. Hale, some of the common side effects are headache, restlessness, agitation, sleep disturbances, seizures, blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea. Use is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders. Seek immediate medical advice if you have any side effects after taking medicine. Is there a way you can reduce the effect of the drug on yourself and your baby?
Care To Be Taken While Taking Bupropion
Follow these simple measures to mitigate side effects for you and your baby. Note: Any drug should be continued or discontinued only with the doctor’s approval.
