Use of agomelatine in pregnancy

What are the benefits of using agomelatine in pregnancy?

Agomelatine can improve your mood and feelings of wellbeing. It is very important that mental health conditions are treated to ensure a woman is well during pregnancy and while looking after her baby.

What are the risks of using agomelatine in pregnancy?

There are no studies of pregnant women who take agomelatine so it is unclear if it might affect the baby’s development.

Agomelatine works through effects on the brain and might therefore cause short-term withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby if taken in the weeks before delivery. For this reason, a baby may be monitored for some time after birth to check for jitteriness, difficulty sleeping, and breathing and feeding problems.

Are there any alternatives to using agomelatine in pregnancy?

Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat depression, so switching may be an option. For some people, talking therapies can be helpful but this does not work for everyone and some may prefer to take a medicine. If a woman’s condition is well-controlled with agomelatine, it may be safer overall to stay on it rather than try something new and risk a relapse.

Ideally, a woman planning a pregnancy should speak to her GP or specialist to determine whether agomelatine is still the best option. Similarly, women who have an unplanned pregnancy while taking agomelatine should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity by their GP or specialist.

What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?

It is very important that mental health conditions are well-controlled during pregnancy. Discontinuing antidepressant medication can cause symptoms to return and stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

A medicine will only be prescribed during pregnancy if it is absolutely necessary, and a doctor or specialist will be happy to discuss the benefits and any risks.

Please do not stop agomelatine without speaking to your midwife, GP, or specialist.