New Study: SSRI Side Effects May Cause Lactation Problems in New Moms

Charlotte, NCResearchers studying the potency of SSRI birth defects have found a potential link between the medication and a delay in the production of breast milk in new mothers.

The study, which appears in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, finds that women who used Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) to battle depression may experience delayed lactation and may require additional support to breastfeed their babies.

Analysts claim that the study is too small to be conclusive, but the results continue to raise questions about the usage of SSRIs during late term pregnancy. In the past, commonly prescribed anti depressants like Paxil and Zoloft have been linked to a number of adverse effects on expectant mothers and their children, most notably the development of persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Despite the findings, study authors are not yet ready to discourage usage of SSRIs by expecting mothers.

"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," writes the study's co-author, Nelson Horseman. "More human research is needed before we can make specific recommendations regarding SSRI use during breastfeeding."