Postpartum Depression Antidepressants (SSRI)

Medically Reviewed and Fact-Checked by: Kimberly Langdon M.D., Medical Editor

Postpartum Depression Antidepressants

Pursuing treatment for postpartum depression is vital to a healthy recovery. Without treatment, women may suffer endlessly from postpartum depression symptoms. Sometimes symptoms can worsen and dramatically affect your quality of life if you don’t seek treatment.

Medications are a key part of treating postpartum depression. The most commonly prescribed medication is an antidepressant. These medications are a longer-term treatment option that helps manage, control and eventually reduce symptoms of postpartum depression.

What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are a class of psychiatric medication that physicians prescribe to people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders, including postpartum depression.

Antidepressants change how brain chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine act. Exactly why that relieves depression is not fully understood.

Antidepressants were first made available in the 1950s and have since evolved into various types and brands. Today, antidepressants are commonly prescribed due to their success in alleviating the devastating symptoms of depression.

How do Antidepressants Work?

Antidepressants change how brain chemicals called neurotransmitters work. Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals that control mood, emotions, and behavior throughout the brain.

The two most involved in antidepressant treatment are serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin regulates mood and emotions. Norepinephrine is part of the body’s stress response. Antidepressants that control and improve serotonin are called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Antidepressants that control both serotonin and norepinephrine are called Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).

Antidepressants may take several weeks before their effects are noticeable in controlling symptoms, usually 4 to 8 weeks for the full effect. Over time, patients who take antidepressants will notice that their quality of life (and their mood) improves as their symptoms dissipate.

Types of Antidepressants

Today, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary type of antidepressant prescribed to women with postpartum depression due to their low risk of side effects, their limited effect on breastfeeding and their effectiveness in improving symptoms.

Other types of antidepressants include:

  • Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Tricyclics

Brands of Antidepressants

There are several brands of SSRIs available. Each SSRI is a different medication. They work in similar ways, but some women do better on one than another.

The following are some of the top SSRI brands as well as their generic medication names:

  • Celexa (citalopram)
  • Cipralex, Lexapro (escitalopram)
  • Luvox (fluvoxamine)
  • Paxil, Seroxat (paroxetine)
  • Prozac (fluoxetine)
  • Zoloft, Lustral (sertraline)

Benefits of Antidepressants

Typically a physician will recommend antidepressants to treat postpartum depression because they can effectively relieve many major symptoms.

Here are some of the primary benefits of taking antidepressants for postpartum depression.

  1. Effective Symptom Relief: SSRIs help many women. In postpartum trials, 55% improved on an SSRI compared with 43% on placebo, though the studies were small. Though they are not a permanent solution, they can control and manage symptoms long enough to reach a full recovery.
  2. Limited Side Effects: Side effects are common with antidepressants but usually mild. The development of side effects often depends on the individual woman. Switching to a different brand or type of antidepressant may reduce side effects.
  3. Convenience and Control: Knowing that a physician has prescribed a controlled course of treatment alleviates stress and pressure from the mother and her family, who often feel helpless regarding treatment. Having a physician directly involved in treatment offers hope and support.

Taking Antidepressants

Many women are concerned about the outcomes and side effects of antidepressants on their ability to breastfeed. Some SSRIs, sertraline in particular, pass into breast milk in very small amounts and are considered a preferred choice while breastfeeding. If you are concerned about taking antidepressants during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.

It is important to take antidepressants at the same time every day for the full course of treatment. Remember that antidepressants may not take effect for several weeks. It is vital not to stop taking antidepressants without first consulting your doctor. If you find that your antidepressants aren’t working, consult your doctor about different types or brands that may be more suitable.

Before taking antidepressants, it’s important to know the potential side effects. SSRIs generally have limited or mild side effects. These may include nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation, headache, decreased sex drive, and weight gain, among other things. Discuss your concerns about these side effects with your doctor before using SSRIs.

Though antidepressants are not necessarily a permanent postpartum depression cure, they are important for managing depression symptoms and restoring quality of life.

PostpartumDepression.org Team
Reviewed by:Kimberly Langdon M.D.

Medical Editor

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Kimberly Langdon is a Doctor of Medicine and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1991. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University Hospitals, Department of OB/GYN. Board-Certified in 1997, she is now retired from clinical practice after a long and successful career. Currently, she is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of a Medical Device Company that is introducing patented products to treat vaginal microbial infections without the need for drugs. She is an expert in Vaginal Infections, Menstrual disorders, Menopause, and Contraception.

Written by:

Jenna Carberg was diagnosed with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in 2016. It was a healthy birth but in the following days, Jenna's mood changed quickly. Doctors suggested that it might be the "baby blues", but her husband Chris suggested she seek a second opinion. Jenna was diagnosed with postpartum depression and began a journey that lasted 9 long months with significant ups and downs. Jenna's mental health care and her experiences became a passion for her to share with the world. She and her husband Chris founded PostpartumDepression.org as a support website designed to help women suffering in silence and their loved ones.

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