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Postpartum Depression
Prozac vs. Zoloft
Hi everyone,
This is my first post. my hubby and I want to start having kids within a year. I have horrible anxiety,depression, & OCD. My doc started me on Prozac as she said it is safe to take while preggo and BF. But I see everyone on here is taking zoloft. Does anyone know which one is better? Which one is safer? Any help would be amazing!!!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Prozac vs. Zoloft
Hi! kellymom.com has awesome information about medication safety.
On kellymom (https://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/antidepressants-hale10-02.html#Prozac), "Prozac is the only drug "cleared by the FDA" for use during pregnancy. A mother on Prozac during pregnancy may wish to change drugs before birth or immediately after, or titrate the dose down in the last trimester since the existing blood plasma level in the newborn fetus plus the drug transfer through milk may lead to toxicity. Its effects on the breastfed infant have been reported in infants 2 months old or less.
Hope this helps!
You're very welcome
That website has helped me SO much since my DD was born!
Good luck and have fun TTC!!
Hi LMC... I'm brand new here (this is my first post, in fact), but this topic hits very close to home because I've been on BOTH medications.
I was on Zoloft for a good 4 years and it worked, but I wasn't 100% satisfied on it. I still suffered from mood shifts and some depression. FINALLY, my doc (psychiatrist) switched me -- but she put me on Wellbutrin.
First, that medication did NOTHING for me except take away my appetite and because of not eating, I felt sick ALL THE TIME. PLUS, I still had depression.
Secondly, I suffered from AWFUL withdrawal on the Zoloft. Many doctors claim you can't have withdrawal symptoms from this medication*, but trust me, it's well documented on many websites and forums online. Anyway, this long story leads me into Prozac.
I started taking it about 3 or 4 years ago and I really, really like it. It hasn't affected my appetite, it's totally controlled (i.e. gotten rid of) my depression, and if I miss a dose, I don't feel sick the way I did with Zoloft. Why? Prozac has a much longer half-life than Zoloft does (with Paxil being the worst offender in the anti-depressant line), which means your body uses it more slowly, so it's naturally tapers off, as opposed to having a 'crash' (so to speak) and getting violent symptoms.
Right now, I'm on a very low dose (much lower than I was when I originally started) and considering the possibility of getting off of it altogether down the road some time - something I wouldn't have considered 5 years ago! I thought I'd be on this stuff for the rest of my life.
I tell you all of this because, although it doesn't relate to your questions regarding pregnancy, I think from personal experience (and many things I've read), this is a MUCH safer drug to be on for YOURSELF, so I would assume would also be the case for your fetus. So if I were you, I would stay the course you're currently on.
Good luck!
*You may not experience any problems with tapering off and stopping Zoloft, but it COULD happen
Wow thank you so much for your advice! It just confirms that prozac is the best for me. I am just worried about taking it while pregnant but right now I am just trying to focus on getting better and not worry about getting pregnant/taking it while pregnant. Thank you so much.
PS. I love your verse from Mark you have on your post. My pastor said that during our ceremony. I LOVE it.