Can I continue to take my sertraline while conceiving a child?

Hello ma'am,

Generally speaking, it is safer to stay on a medication like sertraline (whether for depression or anxiety) than to discontinue the medication out of "fear for the fetus". Indeed, more and more studies show that untreated mental health problems during pregnancy can have negative consequences on the physical and psychological level of the mother and even on the "quality" of the pregnancy and the optimal development of the fetus. In addition, the many hormonal/physiological changes that come with pregnancy can either enhance or worsen the current mental health condition, depending on the individual woman. Therefore, it is always important to weigh the pros and cons and have a frank discussion with the health care professionals around you!

The sertraline you are taking is one of the most studied antidepressant/anxiety medications in pregnancy and the data do not show a teratogenic risk (i.e., there does not appear to be any particular risk of malformation with sertraline). Thus, there does not appear to be any particular contraindication to continuing your sertraline during your pregnancy. 💊

False information has long been bandied about regarding medications like sertraline and their link to autism or ADHD and it is important to reassure you about this. There is no concrete evidence on these associations, and the baseline risk is far less than the risks associated with an untreated mental health condition in pregnancy.

P.s. whether you are pregnant or conceiving, it is important to have a prenatal multivitamin containing the essential nutrients for optimal growth of the unborn child. Your local pharmacists, following a free comprehensive evaluation, can prescribe it for you to be covered by your insurance! Don't hesitate to let them know! 🤰

I hope this information will help you see more clearly and put your mind at ease. Please feel free to contact us again with any other questions! ☺️

Marc-Antoine Dufresne, pharmacy intern, supervised by Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist.