ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking adhd medication uk for adults medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these medications could affect the fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological developmental conditions like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who prescribes adhd medication are pregnant and take ADHD medication should consider the benefits of taking it versus the risks to the baby. Doctors don't have enough data to give clear advice but they can provide information about risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large, population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy and those who had not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists examined the cases to ensure correct case classification and to limit the chance of bias.

However, the study had its limitations. The researchers were not able to, in the first place, to separate the effects caused by the medication from the disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to medication use or caused by the presence of comorbidities. In addition the researchers did not study the long-term effects of offspring on their parents.

The study found that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy had a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to those whose mothers did not use any medication during pregnancy, or had discontinued taking their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having caesarean sections or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risk of using ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should talk to their patients about this and try to help them develop coping strategies that may reduce the impact of her disorder in her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether to continue or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to confront. These decisions are often made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors have to consider their own expertise and experience, as well as the experiences of other doctors, and the research on the subject.

The issue of risk for infants can be particularly tricky. Many studies on this issue are based on observations rather than controlled research and their conclusions are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live births, which adhd medication is the best may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects which can cause abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these shortcomings by looking at data from both live and deceased births.

Conclusion Some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not shown such a relationship. Most studies show that there is a neutral, or slightly negative, impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be done in each instance.

For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. A decrease in medication could affect the ability to safely drive and to perform work-related tasks which are vital aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to take the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers, and acquaintances about the condition, its impact on daily functioning and the benefits of keeping the current treatment. It can also help women feel supported in her decision. Some medications can pass through the placenta. If the patient decides not to take her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it's important to be aware that the drug could be passed on to her baby.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and use of adhd medication pregnancy drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing, so does concern about the potential effects of these drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this issue. With two massive data sets researchers were able analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies to determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication use was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.

The authors of the study did not find any association between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies which showed a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD medication prior to the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when many women began to stop taking their medication.

Women who used ADHD medications in the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to undergo caesarean section, low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required help breathing at birth. The authors of the study could not eliminate selection bias because they limited their study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope that their research will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that, while discussing benefits and risks are important, the choice regarding whether or not to stop taking medication should be according to the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.

The authors caution that, while stopping the medication is an option to consider, it is not recommended because of the high incidence of depression and other mental disorders for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult time adjusting to a life without them after the baby is born.

Nursing

The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD can face severe challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. However, the rate of medication exposure to the infant can differ based on the dosage, frequency it is administered, and the time of day the medication is administered. Additionally, different medications are introduced into the baby's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully comprehended.

Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the potential risks to the embryo. Until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

A growing number of studies have revealed that the majority of women are able to safely continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to do this. They have concluded after consulting with their doctor, that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh risk.

It what is the most common adhd medication prescribed essential for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber as well as the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help women with ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder, learn about available treatment options and strengthen existing strategies for coping. This should include a multidisciplinary approach with the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counselling should include the discussion of a plan for management for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.