ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD have to make a difficult choice on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Little data exists about how does medication for adhd work long-term exposure to these drugs may affect the foetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during utero do not develop neurological disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high-quality studies are needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Pregnant women who take ADHD medications must weigh the advantages of using them against the risks to the fetus. Physicians don't have the data needed to give clear guidelines however they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can 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 face an increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during the early stages of pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists looked over the cases to ensure an accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.

The research conducted by the researchers was not without limitations. In particular, they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from those of the underlying disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to determine if the small differences observed between the exposed groups were due to the use of medications or confounded by comorbidities. The researchers also did not examine long-term outcomes for offspring.

The study did show that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those who were born without any medication or had cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an increased risk of having a caesarean delivery or having a baby born with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases did not appear to be influenced by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the minor risk of using ADHD medication during pregnancies in the early stages may be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when possible, help them develop strategies to improve their coping abilities that can lessen the negative impact of her condition on her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

More and more doctors are faced with the decision of whether to maintain treatment or stop as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are often taken without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors have to take into account their own experience in conjunction with the experiences of other physicians and the research that has been conducted on the subject.

Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the infant can be difficult. The research on this issue is based on observations rather than controlled studies, and a lot of the results are in conflict. Most studies limit their analysis to live-births, which could underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study presented in this journal club addresses these limitations by examining data on both live and deceased births.

The conclusion is that while some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have found no connection and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative impact. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be conducted in every instance.

It isn't easy, but not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent piece published in the Archives of Women's Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping ADHD medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, a loss of medication may affect the ability to complete job-related tasks and drive safely that are crucial aspects of a normal life for many people suffering from ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to continue taking the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy, educate their family members, coworkers and acquaintances about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment plan. It can also help women feel more confident in her decision. It is important to remember that certain drugs can be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug could be transferred to the infant.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use and misuse of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing the concern over the potential effects of these drugs on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this subject. With two massive data sets researchers were able analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk remains low, the scientists found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to a slightly higher rate of certain heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).

The authors of the study could not discover any connection between the use of early medications and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are in agreement with previous studies that have shown an insignificant, but small increase in cardiac malformations for women who began taking ADHD Best Medication For Ocd And Adhd prior to the time of pregnancy. The risk was higher in the later part of pregnancy, when many women begin to discontinue their ADHD medications.

Women who were taking ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely need a caesarean, have a low Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed help breathing after birth. However, the authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who didn't have any other medical issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.

Researchers hope that their research will help doctors when they encounter pregnant women. The researchers suggest that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision on whether to continue or stop taking medication should be in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.

The authors warn that, although stopping the medication is an option to consider, it is not recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and mental health issues in women who are expecting or who have recently given birth. Further, the research suggests that women who choose to stop their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time adapting to life without them after the birth of their baby.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience to become a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments as well as getting ready for the arrival of a child and getting used to new routines at home may face a lot of challenges. As such, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy.

The majority of stimulant medicines are absorbed by breast milk in low amounts, so the risk for infant who is breastfeeding is low. However, the amount of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on dosage, how to get adhd meds without diagnosis often it is taken and at what time it is administered. In addition, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract and breast milk and the impact of this on a newborn infant is not fully understood.

Due to the absence of research, some physicians might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the potential risks to the embryo. Until more information becomes available, doctors may ask pregnant patients if they have an history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal stage.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, best medication For ocd and adhd an increasing number of patients are choosing to do this. They have concluded, in consultation with their doctors that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh risk.

Women with ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek the advice of an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their doctor and discuss the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from common adhd medications be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and strengthen strategies for coping. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and the child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.