ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and nursing is a difficult decision for women suffering from the condition. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological disorders like impaired vision or hearing seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are required.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it versus the risks for the fetus. Physicians don't have the information needed to make unequivocal recommendations, but they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can assist pregnant women in making informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large sample-based case control study to compare the incidence of structural defects that were major in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to limit the chance of bias.

The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. The researchers were unable to, in the first place to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small associations observed among the groups that were exposed to the use of medication or if they were confounded by co-morbidities. Researchers also did not examine the long-term effects for the offspring.

The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having caesarean sections or the baby was not scoring well on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefit to both mother and child of continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this issue and try to help them develop coping skills that can lessen the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether to continue or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more physicians have to face. The majority of these decisions are taken in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence either way, so physicians must weigh their knowledge from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and What Medication Is Prescribed For Adhd the research says on the topic as well as their own judgments for each individual patient.

Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. The research on this issue is based on observations instead of controlled studies and a lot of the results are in conflict. The majority of studies focus on live births, which can underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing the data from deceased and live births.

The conclusion The conclusion: what medication is prescribed For adhd While some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies have a neutral or slight negative effect. As a result, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every situation.

For a lot of women with ADHD and ADD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In a recent piece published in Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can increase depression and feelings of isolation. A decrease in medication could also affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for those suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy consider educating family members, friends, and coworkers on the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. It can also help the woman feel supported in her struggle with her decision. It is important to note that certain medications can pass through the placenta therefore, if a patient decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug can i get adhd medication without a diagnosis be transferred to the child.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about what impact the medications could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this topic. Researchers used two huge data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers of the study found no association between early use of medication and congenital abnormalities such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies revealing a small but significant increase in the risk of cardiac malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications prior to pregnancy. The risk grew in the latter half of pregnancy, as many women begin to discontinue their medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and had a baby that required breathing assistance when they were born. The authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias because they restricted the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

Researchers hope their research will help doctors when they meet pregnant women. They recommend that, while the discussion of risks and benefits is important but the decision to stop or maintain medication should be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors also warn that, while stopping the medication is an option, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or who are recently postpartum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medications are more likely to experience difficulties adapting to life without them after the baby's arrival.

Nursing

It can be overwhelming becoming a mother. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new adhd medication routines. This is why many women decide to continue taking their adhd and depression medication medications throughout pregnancy.

The risk for nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. The rate of medication exposure will vary based on the dosage, frequency of administration and the time of the day. In addition, different drugs enter the infant's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The impact of these medications on a newborn's health is not fully understood.

Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. This is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the risk to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with adhd no medication and whether they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

A increasing number of studies have revealed that the majority of women are able to safely continue to take their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to do this. They have discovered, in consultation with their doctor What Medication Is Prescribed For Adhd that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh risk.

Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non stimulant adhd medication-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and build strategies for coping. This should include a multidisciplinary approach with the GP doctors, obstetricians and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of indicators of deterioration, and, if needed adjustments to the medication regimen.