Is it OK to take Lexapro while pregnant?

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Lexapro in the category C for the safety of use during pregnancy. This category indicates there has not been enough clinical research on humans to deem the medication safe. Other SSRI antidepressants have been associated with several issues for fetuses and newborns.

Which antidepressant is safest in pregnancy?

Some antidepressants are considered safer for pregnant women than others….Antidepressants that are considered safer include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Is Lexapro different from Celexa?

Are Celexa and Lexapro the same? Celexa and Lexapro are both antidepressants in the same class, however, they are not the same. Celexa is a racemic mix of the R-enantiomer and S-enantiomer of citalopram. Lexapro contains only the S-enantiomer, which is the more active isomer responsible for the serotonergic effects.

What class is Celexa for pregnancy?

Safety of Psychiatric Medications During Pregnancy and Lactation

Will Lexapro hurt my baby?

Preterm birth and low birth weight The National Alliance on Mental Illness cautions that there’s a possible risk of giving birth to your baby before they’re full term if you take Lexapro (or other types of antidepressants) during your second and third trimester.

Can Lexapro cause birth defects?

There are no large studies looking at the chance of birth defects when escitalopram is used during pregnancy. Since it is very similar to citalopram, escitalopram is also unlikely to increase the chance of birth defects over the background risk.

Which is the best SSRI for anxiety?

The antidepressants most widely prescribed for anxiety are SSRIs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa.

Can I substitute Lexapro for Celexa?

Both Celexa and Lexapro may be used off-label to treat other conditions. Celexa is only available in tablet form whereas Lexapro is available in both tablet and liquid form. The equivalent dose of Lexapro is approximately half of that of Celexa.

Does Lexapro or Celexa cause weight gain?

Antidepressants and weight gain Celexa has been associated with slight weight gain, but it’s thought that the drug itself doesn’t cause this effect. Rather, the weight increase is likely due to improved appetite from taking the drug. A better appetite can cause you to eat more, leading to increased body weight.

Can Celexa cause birth defects?

SSRIs are generally considered an option during pregnancy, including citalopram (Celexa) and sertraline (Zoloft). Potential complications include maternal weight changes and premature birth. Most studies show that SSRIs aren’t associated with birth defects.

Can babies withdrawal from Lexapro?

The use of SSRIs during the third trimester can increase the likelihood that your newborn baby will show some withdrawal signs from the medication. Experts like to call these discontinuation symptoms, and they can include: respiratory distress. irritability.

Is it safe to take Lexapro or citalopram during pregnancy?

Neither citalopram (Celexa) nor escitalopram (Lexapro) was associated with defects, except for a “marginal” link between citalopram and neural tube defects. Fluoxetine (Prozac) was associated with ventricular septal defects, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction cardiac defects, and craniosynostosis.

Are there any side effects to taking Celexa during pregnancy?

A study of seven women taking citalopram and their infants has reported that the plasma concentrations of citalopram and demethylcitalopram in the infants were very low or absent and there were no adverse effects. “Product Information. Celexa (citalopram).”

What are the side effects of Lexapro compared to Celexa?

Lexapro is an effective antidepressant that may have less potential for adverse effects than other SSRI antidepressants. Prescribed for Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive… Common side effects include: drowsiness, ejaculatory disorder, nausea, insomnia, and diaphoresis. See the full Celexa side effects document.

What is the background risk of Celexa escitalopram?

Citalopram | Escitalopram (Celexa®|Lexapro®) In every pregnancy, a woman starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This is called her background risk.