ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Little data exists about how long-term exposure to these drugs may affect the fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological disorders like hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication need to weigh the benefits of taking it against the potential risks to the foetus. Physicians do not have the data needed to make unequivocal recommendations but they can provide information regarding the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not face a significantly higher risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers used a vast, population-based case-control study to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure accurate case classification and to limit the possibility of bias.

The study conducted by the researchers was not without its limitations. The most important issue was that they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder at hand. That limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the exposed groups are due to medication use or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally the study did not look at the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study did find that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders, and the increased risk for admission was not found to be influenced by the stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant adhd medication for adults uk medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having an emergency caesarean section or having one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages can be offset by greater benefits for baby and mother of continued treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, when they are able, assist them in developing stult, if not impossible. In fact, in a recent article in the Archives of Women's Mental Health psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of isolation and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. Furthermore, a loss of medication can affect the ability to do jobs and drive safely which are essential aspects of a normal life for many people suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who are not sure whether to continue taking medication or stop it due to their pregnancy should educate family members, coworkers, and acquaintances about the condition, its impact on daily functioning and the benefits of continuing the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also help the woman feel supported as she struggles with her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her baby.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use and misuse of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increases the concern over the possible effects of the drugs on foetuses. A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of information on this topic. Researchers utilized two massive data sets to study more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine if stimulant medication use increased birth defects. Researchers discovered that, getting adhd medication uk while the risk overall is low, the first trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defect.

The researchers of the study found no link between early medication use and other congenital anomalies, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that showed an insignificant, but small increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication before the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when a large number of women decided to stop taking their medication.

Women who used adhd medication without diagnosis uk medications in the first trimester of their pregnancy were also more likely to undergo a caesarean section, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required breathing assistance at birth. The researchers of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their research will help inform the clinical decisions of physicians who encounter pregnant women. They advise that while discussing risks and benefits is important but the decision to stop or maintain treatment should be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to consider, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and mental health issues for women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Research has also shown that women who stop taking their medication will have a harder transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. Many women decide to continue taking their adhd stimulant medication medication during pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medications are absorbed by breast milk in low quantities, so the risk for infant who is breastfeeding is low. The amount of exposure to medications will differ based on dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of the day. Additionally, different medications are introduced into the baby's system via the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully known.

Some doctors may stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy due to the absence of research. It is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the risks to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their experience with adhd medication list uk and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal time.

A growing number of studies have proven that most women can safely continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have concluded through consultation with their doctors, that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any possible risks.

Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician as well as the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non prescription adhd medication-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Counselling for pregnancy should include the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.