What Is Sertraline?
Sertraline belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It treats depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This drug will improve mood, appetite, sleep, and energy level and may help restore interest in daily living.
Additionally, it may decrease fear, unwanted thoughts, anxiety, and the number of panic attacks. It works by restoring the balance of a certain natural substance called serotonin in the brain.
There are different types of antidepressants available. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one class of antidepressants. They are effective and most commonly prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy.
Some examples are,
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Sertraline.
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Citalopram (Celexa).
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Fluoxetine (Prozac).
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Paroxetine (Paxil).
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Escitalopram (Celexa).
Why Is Sertraline Used During Pregnancy?
Many women fight against depression and require antidepressants to manage their symptoms. These days, more and more women are taking antidepressants during pregnancy to keep their symptoms in check. Their safety in taking antidepressants during pregnancy is questionable. But researchers say that most antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are generally considered safe.
Even though birth defects and other problems are possible, the risk is shallow. Psychiatric and gynecologist experts say that if a patient with mild depression has no symptoms for at least six months, they can stop using antidepressants under a physician's supervision or during pregnancy. Psychotherapy and lifestyle measures, maybe all that is required to manage depression.
The pregnancy can be managed without antidepressants if the following factors are practiced:
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Practice yoga and meditation.
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Minimize stress.
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Talking with a therapist regularly.
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Spend time outside.
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Exercise more.
In some cases, doctors recommend that both the mother and the baby should stay on antidepressants while pregnant if any of the following has occurred:
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A history of severe or recurrent depression.
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A history of other mental illnesses, like bipolar disorder.
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Had a suicidal tendency.
Is Taking Sertraline During Pregnancy Safe?
The family of SSRIs, especially Sertraline, is one of the safest drugs for antidepressants during pregnancy. However, for some moms-to-be, deciding to continue an SSRI during pregnancy ultimately comes down to weighing the risks versus the benefits.
The side effects of SSRIs during pregnancy are generally minimal. The baby may have side effects if the drug is taken during the last trimester. These include jitters, poor feeding, vomiting, hyperactive reflexes, low blood sugar, irritability, respiratory distress, abnormal muscle tone, and seizures during the first month of life.
The main problem with Sertraline is that it tends to be under-dosed. The normal starting dose is 50 mg, but many individuals will require 150 mg to 200 mg to effectively manage their symptoms. When Sertraline treatment has started, women with low doses find it hard to manage their symptoms. There are questions arising about the risk of miscarriage and whether using SSRIs makes it harder to get pregnant. However, any prescription medicine comes with risks, and currently, no studies address the issue of infertility.
What Are the Risks Associated With Anti-Depression Drugs?
SSRIs drugs are considered safe during pregnancy. Many studies suggest that there is little risk with taking SSRIs during pregnancy, which could still affect the baby. About 30 percent of babies born to mothers who took an SSRI during pregnancy develop adaptation syndrome (a behavioral symptom similar to temporary withdrawal symptoms that go away).
The risks for the baby include the following:
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The newborn has persistent pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure between the heart and lungs).
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Birth defects include craniosynostosis (affecting the skull), anencephaly (affecting the spinal cord and brain), omphalocele (affecting the abdominal organs), and limb malformation.
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Heart defects.
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Preterm birth.
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Low birth weight.
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Low Apgar scores (a quick test to check the status of the newborn infant immediately after birth).
In addition, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced by babies exposed to antidepressants in the womb, such as:
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Jitteriness.
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Irritability.
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Low blood sugar.
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Breathing difficulties.
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Trouble feeding.
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Poor tone.
Some babies require a short stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. These symptoms do not cause long-term harm to the baby.
Is Sertraline Safe During Breastfeeding?
While breastfeeding, only a small quantity of Sertraline passes into the breast milk. Preterm babies or babies younger than a month have a less mature stomach and intestines than older babies. This may allow more drugs to enter their bloodstream. No problems for breastfed babies were reported on using Sertraline while breastfeeding. A lower chance of withdrawal after birth is seen in breastfed babies who were exposed to Sertraline in the third trimester of pregnancy. Be sure to talk to the healthcare provider about all of the breastfeeding queries.
Is It Necessary to Stop Taking Sertraline During Pregnancy?
If somebody is planning to quit Sertraline during pregnancy, it is important not to stop taking it suddenly. If they are under a high dose of Sertraline and stop it completely, they may experience adverse side effects and withdrawal syndrome from the drug. That is why not stopping suddenly is recommended without talking to the health care provider.
It is often safest not to take any antidepressant drugs during pregnancy; it may be a negative effect on both mother and baby to discontinue antidepressant medications like Sertraline during pregnancy because it can cause worsening mood and anxiety symptoms. So, it is important to discuss this issue with the healthcare team before making any decision regarding medications.
What Are the Effects of Taking Sertraline Throughout Pregnancy?
Some drugs taken during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in a newborn after delivery. Taking Sertraline during the delivery time can cause irritability, tremors (shivering), constant crying, problems with eating and controlling body temperature, jitteriness, different sleep patterns, and some problems with breathing in babies. However, in most cases, the baby experiences mild symptoms which fade off within a couple of weeks without any treatment. In some cases, babies may need to stay in the NICU until they are normal.
Conclusion
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) drugs like Sertraline are commonly consumed during pregnancy. But it is crucial to know the positive and negative sides of using a drug during pregnancy. Even though there are certain risks in taking antidepressants during pregnancy, untreated depression can cause more harm for both mother and baby. So, consulting a physician for an opinion is advisable.
