Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Vortioxetine? Is Vortioxetine safe for nursing mother and child? Does Vortioxetine extracts into breast milk? Does Vortioxetine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Vortioxetine influence milk supply or can Vortioxetine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Vortioxetine lactation summary

Vortioxetine usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Vortioxetine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Vortioxetine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Vortioxetine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Vortioxetine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Vortioxetine We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Vortioxetine usage in lactation

Antidepressant effects similar to other selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. At latest update relevant published data on its excretion into breast milk were not found. Pharmacokinetic data (high volume of distribution and high protein-binding capacity) make it unlikely the excretion into breastmilk in significant amount. Until more published data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding, a safer known alternative with a lower half-life span, especially during the neonatal period and in case of prematurity, may be preferred.

Answer by DrLact: About Vortioxetine usage in lactation

Because there is no published experience with vortioxetine during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Vortioxetine Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

An observational study looked at outcomes of 2859 women who took an antidepressant during the 2 years prior to pregnancy. Compared to women who did not take an antidepressant during pregnancy, mothers who took an antidepressant during all 3 trimesters of pregnancy were 37% less likely to be breastfeeding upon hospital discharge. Mothers who took an antidepressant only during the third trimester were 75% less likely to be breastfeeding at discharge. Those who took an antidepressant only during the first and second trimesters did not have a reduced likelihood of breastfeeding at discharge.[1] The antidepressants used by the mothers were not specified. A retrospective cohort study of hospital electronic medical records from 2001 to 2008 compared women who had been dispensed an antidepressant during late gestation (n = 575) to those who had a psychiatric illness but did not receive an antidepressant (n = 1552) and mothers who did not have a psychiatric diagnosis (n = 30,535). Women who received an antidepressant were 37% less likely to be breastfeeding at discharge than women without a psychiatric diagnosis, but no less likely to be breastfeeding than untreated mothers with a psychiatric diagnosis.[2] None of the mothers were taking vortioxetine.

Synonyms of Vortioxetine

Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.