Can I use Celexa if I am breastfeeding?

Stacy Wiegman, PharmD

Pharmacy

If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking Celexa (citalopram), an antidepressant medication. Celexa can pass to a breastfeeding baby through breast milk. There have been reports of weight loss, decreased feeding and increased sleepiness in infants who were breastfed by mothers taking Celexa.

Your doctor may recommend that you do not breastfeed if you need to take Celexa, but do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor first. Stopping Celexa suddenly may cause serious withdrawal symptoms. If you need to stop taking Celexa, your doctor can tell you how to do it safely.

Continue Learning about Antidepressant

Are Antidepressants Safe to Take During Pregnancy?

Research suggests that depression is diagnosed twice as often in women as it is in men, and it typically presents during a woman’s childbearing years....

Craig B. Primack, MD

Antidepressants are confusing when it comes to weight loss. Some of them have been shown to increase...

Columbia University Department of Surgery

Antidepressant medications need to be tapered and should only be done with consultation of your doct...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.