Fluoxetine/norfluoxetine concentrations in human milk.

Abstract

Drug therapy for mothers with postpartum depression is complicated by the need to consider the effect of drugs taken by the mother on the nursing infant. In many cases abrupt weaning of the infant is prescribed so that drug therapy may begin, but this may precipitate conflicting feelings of guilt and cause hormonal upset in the mother, both of which may exacerbate the mood disorder. Traditional antidepressants are excreted in human milk, and the effects of these drugs on the infants of nursing mothers are unknown.1 Most of the tricyclic antidepressants have autonomic side effects that may affect both milk