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Need specific guidelines on how to wean baby off medications. She's 13 mos and up until today has been taking 3 mg of lorazapam instead of the klonopin.
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Hi, thanks for your post.
The withdrawal effects from these medications are, at worst, mildly unpleasant, certainly not dangerous. At 13 months, the baby is likely not getting enough medication through the breastmilk to justify a weaning protocol. For the mother's benefit, sertraline 25mg for one week will reduce withdrawal effects. If the mom will be starting another SSRI, just switch over to that one immediately instead of weaning the sertraline. Klonopin is usually taken in the evening, so stop taking lorazepam one morning or afternoon and start taking klonopin that evening. Do not take any more lorazepam after that point.
If this mother still needs treatment for depression and/or anxiety, she should continue to take medication. Sertraline and klonopin are good choices in terms of breastfeeding safety. The risks of these medications are far less than the risks of untreated depression.
Please call us at the InfantRisk Center if this has not completely answered your question.*(806)352-2519
-James Abbey, MD
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