I hope someone here can help me. I have a friend that just asked me if I could ask my mom, an IBCLC, if she could take Effexor xr while nursing. My mom was shocked that my friend is on effexor. I have searched it a bit, and it does seem to cause some very harmful effects on newborns. I just read an advisory on it from the canadian government. My friend said she'd consider going off it to breastfeed, so I doubt that she is aware of the probability of the harmful effects on the baby while she's pregnant. Does anyone have any other info. on this drug, or experience with it.
I feel like I need to let her know, but am not sure what to tell her or how to tell her. She is just entering her third trimester, and it seems as if that is the worst time to be on it. So if I let her know, she could make an educated decision one way or another. I am not sure how extreme her depression is though, so I'm not sure how to handle this, so if you have any advise that way, I'd really appreciate that too.

Tell your friend to go the Mother Risk website
affiliated with the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. They also have a phone line (416) 813-6780 - Motherisk's Home Line )she can call if she wants to speak with someone personally. They are experts in the area of medications and their affects on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and babies.

I took 37.5 of effexor during my entire pregnancy and upped my dose during bfing. My daughter did not experience any effects that I know of. I'm not saying it's okay...or it would be different for someone else. I'm just telling you my experience.