25 Shocking Facts About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
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. There isn't much information on how long-term exposure to these drugs could affect the foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD what medication is given for adhd in utero do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality research.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who can prescribe adhd medication for adults take ADHD medications must weigh the benefits of using them against the risks to the foetus. The doctors don't have the information to provide clear recommendations but they can provide information on risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication in early pregnancy did not have a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a large population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists examined the cases to ensure accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.
The research conducted by the researchers had some limitations. Most important, they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from those of the underlying disorder. This limitation makes it difficult for researchers to establish whether the small differences observed between the groups exposed were due to medication use, or if they were confounded by comorbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not look at long-term offspring outcomes.
The study did reveal that infants whose mothers took ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a slightly more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who were born without any medication or cut back on their medications prior to or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having to have caesarean sections or a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases didn't appear to be affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the small risk associated with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefits to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and try to help them develop coping skills that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.
Interactions with Medication
More and more doctors are confronted with the dilemma of whether to continue treatment or stop it during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with adhd inattentive type medication. These decisions are often made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors must consider their own expertise, the experience of other doctors and the research on the topic.
Particularly, the issue of potential risks for the infant can be difficult. Many of the studies on this topic are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live-births, which could underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing information on deceased and live births.
Conclusion Some studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects however, other studies haven't shown such a relationship. Most studies have shown that there is a neutral, or slight negative impact. In all cases an in-depth study of the benefits and risks must be performed.
For women suffering from ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop medication is difficult, if not impossible. In an article recently 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 patients with adhd medication for women. Furthermore, a loss of medication may affect the ability to complete work-related tasks and safely drive which are essential aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD.
She recommends that women who are unsure about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. It can also help women feel more confident in her decision. It is important to note that some medications are able to pass through the placenta, so if a woman decides to stop taking her Adhd medication Cost medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that the effects of the drug could be transferred to the child.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do concerns about the effects that the drugs could have on the fetuses. 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 pregnancy and determine if the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk is low, the researchers found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to an increase in the risk of certain heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study found no link between early use of medication and other congenital abnormalities, such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in line with previous studies showing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of developing cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the birth of their child. The risk grew during the latter part of pregnancy, as many women are forced to stop taking their medication.
Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean birth and also have an insufficient Apgar after delivery, and have a baby who needed breathing assistance at birth. The authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias because they limited the study to women with no other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope their research will help inform the clinical decisions of doctors who see pregnant women. The researchers suggest that while discussing benefits and risks are crucial, the decision about whether to continue or stop taking medication should be based on the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her requirements.
The authors caution that, while stopping the medication is an option to look into, it is not advised due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental problems among women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medication will have a tough transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.
Nursing
It can be overwhelming to become a mother. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they have to manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The risk to a breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk in low amounts. The rate of medication exposure will differ based on dosage, frequency of administration and time of day. Additionally, individual medications enter the baby's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn is not yet fully known.
Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman's pregnancy due to the lack of research. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the risks to the fetus. Until more information becomes available, GPs can i get adhd medication without a diagnosis ask pregnant patients whether they have any history of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal stage.
A growing number of studies have proven that women can continue their ADHD medication while they are pregnant and nursing. In the end, many patients opt to do this and, in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of keeping their current medication far outweigh any risks.
It is essential for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior to becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant women with ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also be informed about treatment options and strengthen the coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary process together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatrists. Pregnancy counseling should consist of a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother as well as the child, monitoring of indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary modifications to the medication regimen.