Is It Safe for Me to Take Wellbutrin and Mircette Birth Control While Nursing?

All I know is that I tried to take Wellbutrin before I had any children and i could not sleep on that medication at all! I got really messed-up from not sleeping and had to take a different med called Lexapro. It worked well.

Good luck!

With my second child I took Zoloft for depression the whole time I was pregnant and nursing and she is just fine! Use of anti-depressants has been well-studied in pregnant and nursing women and what your doctor said is true. It is safe. The other thought I have is, it's possible the depression is contributing to the pain you are feeling - I know it sounds strange, but depression heightens physical pain. So you may feel a lot of relief just from the anti-depressants.

I've never taken Mircette but my doctor did put me on birth control pills both times while nursing and it was fine. Think of it this way, it would be safe to nurse your baby if you were pregnant, and the hormones in birth control pills mimic pregnancy.

Best of luck to you - let us know how it goes!

As a Lactation Consultant I'll give you the information you need with the reference of Tom Hale's "Medications and Mother's Milk" 2006 edition. I deal with this type of thing on a regular basis and my reference book is well worn... :)

First: you should not still be dealing with pain from your c-section. It makes me a little nuts sometimes because it seems that rather than tracking down WHY there is pain many HCP's want to toss meds (hormones) to the moms as a fix. This bothers me tremendously because often times, as in your case, they prescribe a hormonal birth control pill that contains estrogen. This is NOT fine with breastfeeding - ever. It will most likely cause problems with the milk supply.

Mircette is a birth control pill that contains both estrogen and progesterone. It has about 1/2 the amount of estrogen as 'regular' estrogen containing pills - however, there is still a significant risk of reduction of milk supply. Also, breakthrough bleeding is common and fluid retention has been reported. Another issue with these types of pills that is now being documented is problems with not only the quantity of the milk production but also the quality of the milk production. Therefore, hormonal birth control must be used with caution.

Wellbutrin also has a number of case reports of the same thing - reduction of milk supply. Therefore caution is urged when using this medication. You may want to investigate other alternatives. Paxil and Zoloft are better options. IT doesn't seem to get into the milk in amounts that are harmful to the babies, but reducing the supply is certainly a problem for the baby...and while formula is an acceptable substitute for some babies, it certainly isn't as good as breastmilk and every effort should be made to protect the milk supply (quantity and quality) and continue to provide the baby with the milk specifically designed for his body.

I personally, and professionally liked the nutritional idea - I have a number of moms who use amino acid therapy rather than the medications for a variety of reasons: No side effects, no risk to baby or milk supply, quick acting...I did my own research and have found this to be a very good option. I even went so far as to go through it myself and have had wonderful results - and long lasting...

Our bodies are chronically depleted of the amino acids we need for good brain function and to keep us functioning well on a daily basis. I researched the book "The Diet Cure" and it is really quite good. I have had tremendous success with my own issues with depression and I have had seen much success with many moms I work with who are battling PPD who go this route. The book is fairly easy to follow and understand. Typical time to feeling better is about 1 week or less depending on the mom. It says it in the book and I have seen it in practice too many times to not believe it. Check it out...it may help you too. :)

Lastly, ask your Dr to find out WHY you are still having pain with your c-section. This is not normal and should be investigated. Is there scar tissue forming somewhere that is causing pain - if so find a treatment for that - something that does not involve a pill... Is there an area that is not healing? If so, find out WHY it is not healing right and treat it appropriately.

I wish you much luck...hang in there!

Warmly,
J. Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

Hi J.....I know you're gettting a lot of responses, but I very strongly believe that you should take the medicine! I had two c-sections and struggled with PPD after both. It was horrible and debilitating, so I know how you feel. I tried several different birth control pills hoping to regulate my hormones, but they all seemed to make me more crazy, so I finally gave up on those until a two months ago (my son is now 16 months), and I feel like I am adjusting OK. I took Zoloft with my first son and Celexa with my second, and both times, I felt like they saved my life. I tried Wellbutrin and it made me a little crazy, so if you don't have good results with that, you can request something else. I breastfed both of them succuessfully, and they are both the vision of perfection. If you have been breastfeeding for 6 mo, your milk supply should be established enough that the b/c pills won't have much effect, but if they do, there are natural supplements you can take to help increase your milk supply.

If there were studies out there showing any negative effects of these meds on babies, doctors wouldn't be prescribing them so frequently. Taking an antidepressant was the best thing I ever did both for myself, my kids and my marriage. I don't know how I would've gotten through some very dark times without them. If I were you, I wouldn't wait any longer to start taking them! Best of luck to you, and I hope you start feeling better soon!

Hi J.,
I too have post partum depression and am taking Zoloft as well as micronor birth control. While these medications are different from those you are taking I had the same question...will it be saife for my baby? Even though I was reasasured by my OB, Genralist, and Pediatrician I was still concerned. It was causing my a ton of anxiety and making my emotional state much worse. So I made the decision with the support of all of my Dr.'s to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula. I felt so much better, I did feel a little guilty about only breastfeeding for 6 weeks, but my emotinal state was so much better. Good luck to you, I wish you all the best and know that things will get better.

A geart website to look at that give info on how different medications (everything from vitamins, over the counter meds, and prescirption meds) effect your breastmilk is www.kellymom.com and of course always check with your doctor and your baby's pediatrician.

I'm taking 300-400 mg of Wellbutrin and am nursing, too. I've been doing this for the past 6-7 months and my baby daughter seems to be doing just fine. Her development is normal and she has an outgoing and goofy personality.

My doctor said I looked happy again after taking Wellbutrin and working on an on-call basis as a substitute teacher. I contemplated not taking Wellbutrin for the same reasons you did, but I'm doing much better now than I did 7 months ago. I also make an effort to exercise regularly and eat healthy meals.

I'm not familiar with Mircette. All I know about birth control is a woman is more likely to get blood clots if she is smoking, has a family history of blood clots, and has heart problems. You can check with your OB-GYN doctor to see if this it's OK to take Mircette while nursing. Most doctors usually don't prescribe medicine unless they feel that it is OK for you to take it. However, it doesn't hurt to ask questions.

My doctor told me that it was important for me to be strong to care for and enjoy my sons and they grew. You have to outweigh the risks. Could the consequences of your depression cause greater harm than the consequences of the medication being secreted into your breastmilk? I was terrified to take medication and everytime I took a pill I cried. I had to remember what My doctor said. With me, I had to take them all DURING my pregnancy, as well. I have two healthy boys. They are energetic toddlers and I adore them. (One has a recently diagnosed pectus excavatum, but that has nothing to do with the medication). I also took the same birth control pill. Take care. May you begin to see more sunshine and less rain. But also remember, these "storms" make us so much stronger and women, wifes and mothers.

Sadly I was told the opposite, I was on Wellbutrin when I was pregnant and it was reclassified, I got off it early on, and was told by my doctor that I couldn't start until I stopped nursing... I am not sure but I would consult with someone who is very current on medications and nursing. If there is nothing you can take while nursing, while nursing is awesome, remember healthy mom = healthy baby....

Ask your pharmacist /doctor if they are excreted in breastmilk... then decide if you want your baby taking the medicine too.

One great resource you may not be aware of is LactMed, it's a database that tells you the safety of taking medications while breastfeeding. You can access the database here: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

If there is nothing else that you can take, I'd say that you have to do what is best for you right now.

I don't know much about Wellbutrin other than my husband was perscribed it for smoking cessation...which I know sounds strange...but it must have more uses than one! I am currently taking Zoloft (the generic version) and am a mom of two. I had a little of the "baby blues" after my son...but with my daughter, it was different...and lasted much longer. I was depressed, irritible, felt anxiety at times and was extremely emotional...among other symptoms. I had no idea it was post-pardom depression until I saw my OBGYN...and I too struggled with whether to go on them. I am also a nursing mother, and still am...my daughter is 12 months. My doctor explained that there is nothing proven that it is "safe" while breastfeeding...but there there are no known negative affects to child. It was a tough call...but I tell you I am much happier with my decision. It has made all of the difference in the world being on them! I feel more like my old self...and allows me to be happier with my kids and family. However, knowing that I plan on stopping breastfeeding soon...I know it's time for me to go off....but I know I don't feel myself when I forget to take my Zoloft. My Dr. did mention that it could be my body going though a "withdrawl" from the medication rather than it being the way I would normally feel not taking it. Therefore...it will take a few weeks of weaning myself off of the meds...and then being completely off for about 1-2 weeks to know for sure...just all things you may want to keep in mind. But, I tell you from experience...I didn't want to be the mom with post-pardum...the one who had to take anti-depressants...but I look at is as a learning experience...one that I can share with others...and hopefully help them make the right decision for them.

Like I said...I don't know about Wellbutrin...but if you trust your Dr. and go online to read the side-affects of the drug...you'll have to make that judgement call for yourself. The only anti-depressant I do know is NOT "safe" while breastfeeding is Prozac. Good luck to you. I truly hope you start feeling better soon. It is all temporary...this too shall pass!

Warm Regards,
H.

Hi J.,
I feel your pain, I have had a bottle of Zoloft sitting in my closet for months now and I am so afraid to take it because I worry about the side effects it could have on my baby. My depression has gotten so bad now that i think that I can't go any longer without it. Best of luck and do what is right for you, if you need help get it!!

Hi J.,

I'm suprised no one mentioned CranioSacral Therapy. This is a type of light touch manual therapy. There are 3 releases that can greatly reduce depression. As a CranioSacral Therapist also trained in Pre/Post Natal massage I am so convinced it will help that I will offer the session free if it doesn't. If you are interested check out my website at: www.mind-body-energy.com or go to www.upledger.com to learn about this. There are no drugs involved so no possible harm to your baby. Give me a call if you are interested ###-###-####).
D. Bohr, NCTMB
retired elementary and early childhood teacher
CranioSacral Therapy and Pre/Post Natal massage.

Hi J.,

I don't know about those specific medications but medications have to say that about nursing and pregnancy because no one has done any FDA approved clinical trials on use by pregnant or nursing women because it would be unethical if something were to happen to the baby. There is evidence collected from people who have used it while nursing or pregnant to decide if it is safe which is probably why your doctor told you it's okay. There could have been some women who were in the original clinical trials who got pregnant or were nursing without telling the doctor and the medications didn't effect their babies. They can also check expressed breast milk to see if the medication has passed into it. Hope that helps.

Hi J.,

I'm sorry to hear about the struggles you've been having and I hope things start looking up for you. I don't have any experience with either of these meds, but I recommend contacting La Leche League. I have attended many of their meetings and they often talk about how women are forced to stop nursing because of medications they were on, even though they didn't need to. They have the very latest information and they can help you with this. Good luck!

-H.

Hi J.,

A year after I had my second child I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety. I was strong willed to not take any anti depressants until I became depressed. So, I was on Paxil up until 2006 when I found out that I was pregnant with my 3rd child. I stopped taking it because of the effects to my unborn child. However, I became very depressed and anxious while I was pregnant. I later decided that I needed help, which I was prescribed Zoloft. My daughter is now 13mths old still breastfeeding and fine and healthy. However, I am not on any birth control plan. Just by preference (although, not a smart choice).I know this doesn't answer your question but, maybe enlight any worries.

Hi J.,

I know how you are feeling. I had a C-section many years ago. There are natural ways to deal with your depression and pain. The reason why bottles of medicine say do not take when nursing is because everything you expose yourself to your baby is exposed to it also. The doctors are not aware of some of the side effects that are a caused from medicine taken.

If you would like to learn a natural way of getting healthy check out www.nikken.com/ninamarie

If you have any questions feel free to call me ###-###-####

Have a blessed day.

N. Marie

Hi J.,
I think it is an appropriate choice to take these meds right now if you are really struggling. Since there are few if any studies on the safety of drugs for breastfeeding, we don't really know the answer. However, we do know that even with all the toxins present in breast milk in the modern world, breast-fed babies still do better over all. With that in mind, I would trust your doctor that it will be fine and keep nursing.

I'd like to offer another suggestion as well. In my practice, I have seen dietary changes and supplements do wonders for depression and hormone imbalances. Most of these things you can do while you are still on meds, so you can build up your system while still being supported. Then, when you are ready to get off your meds, your body will be more able to run smoothly without them.

Pregancy and nursing are huge nutritional drains for mothers. As wonderful as they are, they demand a lot from you and it can be hard to keep up nutritionally. Please consider talking to a holistic nutrition consultant who can help identify your particular needs and create a plan that works for you.

Best,
E. Bender, NC, CHN
www.nutritionforthewholefamily.com

I'm not sure about the birth control, but as to the Wellbutrin, yes! It's perfectly safe. I took it while nursing both my children with no problems. It's one of the best/safest ones to take while breastfeeding.

Your doctor has probably prescribed Wellbutrin because it's the best of the bunch for postpartum depression. But, if the drug information explicitly says not to take the medication while breastfeeding, that seems like a warning worth paying attention to. There are so many antidepressants on the market that you ought to be able to find one that works for you and for your baby. So, I'd ask the doctor to explain exactly what the potential harm is to your nursing child if you take Wellbutrin. It may simply be that the baby will get a little non-harmful antidepressant? Have you considered combining the drug therapy with some psychotherapy? While postpartum depression can be strictly a problem of hormone imbalance, a therapist can help with strategies for reducing the depression behaviorally. A cognitive-behavioral therapist might be able to help you with ways to deal with your depression in only a few visits. Best wishes.

I currently take wellbutrin so I looked up the product information and it states: THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK, DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this medicine. I waited til my son was 6 months before I weaned and started taking it.
I don't know if you have lost all the baby weight but Wellbutrin is great in curbing cravings and giving you more energy. I lost 30 lbs in one year by eating healthy, exercising and taking this drug.
Hope you feel better- this drug will help but only after you wean and are ready.

I had a difficult time with first birth (including pain postpartum for months with both births). I had 2nd baby 18 months later so was interested in trying anything to help postpartum and changed Dr. At four months postpartum with the 2nd baby had a real hormone crash and tried an estrogen patch which the Dr had suggested. It worked and used it for 2 months - amazed that that was all it took to feel normal. Using BC pills may be helpful as contains estrogen. Tried Wellbutrin but didn't help - made me feel completely on edge so stopped taking it. Used both while breastfeeding so guess pros outweighed cons. Two years postpartum I am hypothyroid so hormone/endo issues continue though having a responsive Dr has helped incredibly.

First I want to say "good for you!!" for taking the first steps to recover from PPD. Secondly, I want to provide you with some direct links to more info on Wellbutrin and breastfeeding, as well as Mircette.

From Dr. Thomas Hale (author of Medications and Mothers' Milk)on wellbutrin and nursing: http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/43/615.html?###-###-####

Here's the link to LactMed "bupropion" (wellbutrin)search results:
"Limited information indicates that maternal doses of up to 300 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.
If bupropion is required by a nursing mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. However, another drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant." http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~uZ...

And the link to kellymom.com and using antidepressants in breastfeeding mothers: http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/antidepressants-hale1...

Basically Wellbutrin is fine to be breastfeeding while taking, especially since your baby is already past infancy.

Here's info about BCPs and nursing from kellymom.com: "Milk supply: Estrogen-containing contraceptives have been linked to low milk supply and a shorter duration of breastfeeding even when started when baby is older, after milk supply is well established. Not all mothers who take contraceptives containing estrogen will experience a low milk supply, but these unaffected mothers appear to be a very small minority. Safety: Both progestin (progesterone) and estrogen are approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for use in breastfeeding mothers." http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html

And some more info: "Most doctors will suggest the breastfeeding mother use Micronor, commonly called the "Mini-pill". Micronor is a progestin-only pill. This means that the problems, particularly reduction in supply associated with combined pills (containing estrogen) are usually avoided, but this doesn't hold true for every mother. For this reason most experts suggest mother wait at least six weeks, or until her milk supply is well established before beginning any form of hormonal birth control. Estrogen-containing contraceptives should be avoided till at least after the 6th month and once the baby is well-established on solid foods." http://www.mother-2-mother.com/menstruation.htm#BirthControl

I am a survivor of prenatal and postpartum depression, and consider it my mission to help women struggling with the same issues get the correct and proper info! Here's a link to Postpartum Support International (PSI). They have a warmline you can call, as well as referrals to mental health professionals in your local area (most of whom are willing to work around any financial issues that may be present): http://postpartum.net/

I hope that this all helps you with what you are struggling with, and PLEASE feel free to email me at any time, with other questions or even if you would just like an email pal :)

Blessings,
A.

Hi. I was prescribed Zoloft for depression when I was 4 months pregnant with my daughter. She is 9 mo. now and I also continued to take it while I was nursing(I nursed for 7 mo.). I tried Wellbutrin first but had some unpleassant side effects. Zoloft has truly been a lifesaver!
I, too, had a c-section and experienced serious complications and ended up in ICU for a week. I had my tubes tied(I have 4 kids)so I can't coment on the birth control but I really think that your dr. knows best and if she felt safe prescribibng it then it's ok. I didn't notice anything negative in my daughter while I was taking my meds and nursing so I think tou are safe.
Hope this helps. Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon!

Maybe get a second opinion, and to reassure you well, make an appointment to get even a third opinion. There are also ways to alleviate depression with natural herbs, so you can search that out. Wellbutrin has other side effects that aren't so nice, like inhibiting metabolism, although that is not your first concern at this point. keep trying & things will look up!

J.,
I would check with a pharmacist or go online and do some research. I do know that birth control pills can lower the amount of breastmilk produced. I would switch over to formula if it means your health. Remember you gave your son 6 months of the good stuff. That is alot longer than alot of moms so do the research and see what it says. Then if it's not safe to take formual is still a great substitution.

good luck, Trish
P.s. I took Wellbutrin after my 2nd baby and it worked great. I took it for about 6 months and was able to wean off of it very easily. It is non addicting and has a lower chance of lowering your sexual libido. Plus it helped me lose 40 lbs. It curved my appetite.

I have found that pharmacists are the best source of information regarding medications and side effects. They are usually very open and willing to talk with you.
Have you considered homeopathic treatment? It is very successful for depression and does not have side effects.
I hope that you also have a therapist to speak with, as talk therapy is invaluable for depression. It takes a multi-faceted plan to beat depression. Take care.