Can venlafaxine in breast milk attenuate the norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake neonatal withdrawal syndrome

Gideon Koren; Myla Moretti; Bhushan Kapur

doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32135-1

Can venlafaxine in breast milk attenuate the norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake neonatal withdrawal syndrome

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2006 Apr;28(4):299-301. doi: 10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32135-1.

Authors

Gideon Koren¹, Myla Moretti¹, Bhushan Kapur¹

Affiliation

¹ The Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON.

PMID: 16776907
DOI: 10.1016/S1701-2163(16)32135-1

Abstract

A newborn infant whose mother had used venlafaxine, a selective inhibitor of both norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake, throughout pregnancy exhibited signs consistent with the norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake withdrawal syndrome. Is it possible that mother's milk can help mitigate the effects of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake withdrawal? Pharmacokinetic analysis and review of the only published case with active treatment of a baby with venlafaxine suggest that breastfeeding may mitigate the neonatal withdrawal syndrome.

Publication types

Case Reports
Clinical Conference

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding*
Cyclohexanols / administration & dosage
Cyclohexanols / adverse effects*
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / diagnosis*
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / etiology
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / pathology
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / therapy
Pregnancy
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Substances

Cyclohexanols
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
Venlafaxine Hydrochloride