Serum Concentrations of Antidepressant Drugs in Pregnant Women - a Naturalistic Study

Serum samples for the antidepressant drug and metabolite(s) concentrations, albumin and creatinine were collected at the first prenatal appointment and at gestational week 15, 20, 25, 35 and at partus. The time interval between drug intake and sampling was registered in all cases. At partus, a serum samples from the umbilical cord was collected drug concentration was assessed. At the first prenatal appointment a blood sample for analyzing the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotype was also collected. All drug concentration analysis were executed post hoc, after last partus, whereas physiological parameters were part of normal routine sampling. Concomitant medication, weight changes and smoking habits were registered throughout the pregnancies.

Our main findings were that dose corrected serum concentrations of neither sertralin nor citalopram changed during the pregnancy. In addition, concentrations of escitalopram and venlafaxine and their metabolites appeared to be stable throughout pregnancy, even though a linear mixed models statistic calculation could not be done due small number of samples.

Results from previous research on sertraline PK during pregnancy are inconclusive. Two studies suggested decreased levels (Freeman, Sit 2), while one study indicated increased levels (Westin). Previous studies, except for Westin's are, however, limited by small sample sizes (six and eight) and a substantial inter-individual variance.