20 Myths About ADHD Medication Pregnancy: Debunked

ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality research.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who use ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of using them against the risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have enough data to make unambiguous recommendations, but can provide information on risks and benefits to help pregnant women make an informed decision.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications during early pregnancy did not face a significantly increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers used a large sample-based case control study to compare the incidence of major structural defects in infants born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to make sure that the classification was accurate and to minimize any bias.

The study of the researchers had some limitations. The most important issue was that they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from the underlying disorder. That limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or confounding by comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring.

The study did reveal that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a slightly more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants whose mothers had not taken any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was due to central nervous system disorders, and the increased risk for admission did not appear to be influenced by which stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased chance of having a caesarean birth or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be influenced by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.

The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefits to both the mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, if possible, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that may minimize the impact of her disorder on her daily functioning and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to continue or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that doctors are having to confront. These decisions are often made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, physicians must take into account their own experience, the experience of other doctors, and the research on the subject.

The issue of risk to infants is extremely difficult. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and a lot of the results are contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact leading to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these issues by analyzing data on 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. The majority of studies show an unintended, or somewhat negative, effect. In the end an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be done in each case.

For many women with adhd depression medication (this page) and ADD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In an article published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can lead to increased depression, feelings of isolation and family conflict for patients with ADHD. A decrease in medication could also affect the ability to safely drive and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of normal life for those suffering from adhd medication prices uk.

She suggests women who are unsure about whether to continue or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends, and coworkers on the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. Educating them can also make the woman feel more comfortable when she is struggling with her decision. It is also worth noting that some medications can be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop taking her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware of the possibility that traces of the drug could be transferred to the infant.

Birth Defects and Risk of

As the use of ADHD drugs to treat adhd without medication adults symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases, so do concerns about what impact the medications could have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this subject. Researchers used two huge datasets to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnant women and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, the 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 connection between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial clefting, or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies which showed a small, but significant increase in cardiac malformations for women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the time of pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter part of pregnancy when a large number of women stopped taking their medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean birth or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and had a baby that required help breathing when they were born. The authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women without other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.

The researchers hope their research will aid in the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. They advise that while a discussion of the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or maintain medication must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors caution that, while stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, 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. Additionally, the research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medication are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them following the birth of their baby.

Nursing

The responsibilities that come with being a new mom can be overwhelming. Women with ADHD can face severe challenges when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to a new routine. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk at low levels. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the infant can differ based on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day the medication is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn infant is not yet fully known.

Because of the lack of research, some doctors may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the potential risks to the foetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.

A increasing number of studies have revealed that most women can safely continue their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a result, many patients choose to do so and in consultation with their doctor they have found that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any potential risks.

It's important for women dealing with adhd without medication ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's guidance prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor as well as the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be offered to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and the underlying disorder Learn about the available treatment options and reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should include an approach that is multidisciplinary, including 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.