10 Quick Tips About ADHD Medication Pregnancy
common adhd medications Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The decision to stop or continue ADHD medication during pregnancy and nursing is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There are few data regarding How Does Adhd Medication Work For Adults exposure over time may affect a foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don't develop neurological disorders such as impaired vision or hearing, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality research is needed.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use common adhd medications medications must weigh the benefits of using them against the risks to the foetus. Doctors don't have enough data to provide clear recommendations but they can provide information on risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who used ADHD medications during their early pregnancy did not have an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major structural birth defects. The researchers used a large population-based study of case-control to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who took stimulants during early pregnancy, as well as those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists reviewed the cases to ensure an accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the possibility of bias.
However, the study had its limitations. In particular, they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from the effects of the disorder that is underlying. This limitation makes it difficult to determine whether the small associations observed in the groups that were exposed are due to the use of medication or the confounding effect of comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study did find that infants whose mothers took ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a more risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This increase was caused by central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having to have 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 affected by the kind of medication used during pregnancy.
Researchers suggest that the minor risks posed by the use of ADHD medications in early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, when they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that may minimize the negative impact of her condition on her daily life and relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with adhd medication prescription uk and treated with medication, the question of whether to keep or discontinue treatment during pregnancy is a question that doctors are having to face. These decisions are usually made without clear and authoritative evidence. Instead, doctors have to consider their own expertise, the experience of other doctors, and the research that has been conducted on the subject.
Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be a challenge. Many studies on this subject are based on observational data rather than controlled research, and their conclusions are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study that is discussed in this journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing data on live and deceased births.
The conclusion: While certain studies have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have found no such relationship and the majority of studies have a neutral or slightly negative effect. In the end an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be done in each case.
It can be challenging, if not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. 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 these patients. A loss of medication may also impact the ability to drive safely and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of normal life for those with ADHD.
She suggests women who are uncertain about whether to keep or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy should consider educating family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its impact on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. It can also help women feel confident about her decision. It is also worth noting that certain medications can pass through the placenta so if a woman decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that traces of the drug could be passed on to the baby.
Risk of Birth Defects
As the use of ADHD medication to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows there are concerns over the impact that these drugs might have on fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body knowledge on this topic. Researchers used two huge data sets to study more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the scientists found that exposure in the first trimester to ADHD medications was linked to a slightly higher rate of specific heart defects, such as ventriculo-septal defect (VSD).
The researchers of the study could not discover any connection between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies such as facial deformities or club feet. The results are in line with previous studies which showed a small, but significant increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication prior to the time of the birth of their child. The risk grew in the latter half of pregnancy, when a lot of women are forced to stop taking their ADHD 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 have a baby who needed help breathing when they were born. However, the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who didn't have other medical issues that could have contributed to the findings.
Researchers hope that their research will help doctors when they encounter pregnant women. The researchers recommend that while discussing the risks and benefits are crucial, the decision regarding whether or not to stop medication should be made in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors also advise that, while stopping the medication is an alternative, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems among women who are pregnant or recently post-partum. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medications are more likely to have a difficult time getting used to life without them following the birth of their baby.
Nursing
It can be a stressful experience becoming a mother. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of their child and adjust to new routines. As such, many women decide to continue taking their ADHD medication throughout the pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed through breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk to the breastfeeding infant is minimal. However, the rate of exposure to medication by the newborn may differ based on dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day the medication is administered. Additionally, individual medications enter the infant's system differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk. The impact of this on a newborn is not well known.
Due to the absence of evidence, some doctors may recommend stopping stimulant medications during a woman's pregnancy. It's a difficult choice for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of her medication against the potential risks to the fetus. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
Many studies have shown that women can continue to take their ADHD medication safely while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, an increasing number of patients are opting to do so. They have discovered after consulting with their doctor, that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh risk.
Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek advice from an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their doctor and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continued treatment, including non medication treatment for adhd adults-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help women with ADHD understand their symptoms and underlying disorder Learn about the available treatment options and strengthen existing coping strategies. This should include a multidisciplinary approach, which includes the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counselling should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother as well as the child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and when necessary, making adjustments to the medication regimen.