ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women with ADHD have to make a difficult choice regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There aren't many studies on how long-term exposure may affect a foetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus don't develop neurological conditions like hearing or vision impairment, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are expecting and taking ADHD medication must consider the benefits of taking it against the possible risks to the baby. Physicians don't have the data needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information regarding benefits and risks that can aid pregnant women in making informed choices.

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

However, the researchers' study was not without its flaws. The researchers were not able, in the first place to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder. This makes it difficult to know whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups result from medication use or confounding by comorbidities. The researchers did not look at long-term outcomes for offspring.

The study found that infants whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy had a slightly higher chance of being admitted to the neonatal care unit (NICU) as compared to those whose mothers did not take any medication during pregnancy or had quit taking the medication prior to or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The higher risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medications used during pregnancy.

Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated risk of having a caesarean delivery or having a baby with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appear to be independent of the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

Researchers suggest that the small risks posed by the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancies could be offset by the greater benefits for mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's condition. Physicians should speak with their patients about this issue and, if possible, help them improve coping skills which may reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily functioning and her relationships.

Interactions with Medication

As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the issue of whether or not to discontinue treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more doctors have to face. Most of the time, these decisions are taken in the absence of clear and authoritative evidence regardless, so doctors must weigh their knowledge, the experiences of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject and their own best judgment for each individual patient.

Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the baby can be tricky. Many studies on this topic are based on observational data instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects leading to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study presented in the journal club addresses these shortcomings by analyzing data on live and deceased births.

The conclusion is that while certain studies have demonstrated an association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship, and most studies have a neutral or slight negative effect. In each case, a careful analysis of the potential risks and benefits must be performed.

For many women with adhd medication cost uk and ADD, the decision to stop medication is difficult if not impossible. In fact, in an article recently published in 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. The loss of medication can also impact the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of everyday life for those suffering from adhd medication uk buy (Going to Blogbright).

She suggests that women who aren't sure whether to continue taking the medication or discontinue it due to pregnancy should educate family members, colleagues, and friends about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. It can also aid in ensuring that the woman feels supported when she is struggling with her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a woman decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it's important to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her infant.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows as do concerns over the impact that these drugs could have on foetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. Utilizing two huge data sets researchers were able look at more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Although the risk overall remains low, the researchers discovered that the first-trimester exposure to ADHD medicines was associated with an increased risk of specific heart defects, like ventriculo-septal defects (VSD).

The researchers of the study found no connection between early medication use and other congenital abnormalities, 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 began taking ADHD medication before pregnancy. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy, when a lot of women began to stop taking their medication.

Women who took ADHD medication during the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean birth or have an insufficient Apgar after delivery and have a baby who needed help breathing at birth. However the authors of the study were unable to eliminate selection bias by restricting the study to women who did not have other medical issues that could have contributed to these findings.

Researchers hope their research will inform physicians when they meet pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or keep medication must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her strongest adhd medication symptoms.

The authors also advise that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it isn't an option that is recommended due to the high prevalence of depression and other mental health issues in women who are pregnant or who are recently post-partum. Furthermore, research suggests that women who decide to stop taking their medication are more likely to experience a difficult time adapting to life without them after the baby's arrival.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD who must work through their symptoms while attending physician appointments, making preparations for the arrival of a child and getting used to new routines at home can experience severe challenges. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

The risk to breastfeeding infant is minimal because the majority of stimulant medication is absorbed through breast milk in low amounts. However, the frequency of exposure to medications by the newborn can vary depending on the dosage, frequency it is taken and the time of day 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 isn't fully understood.

Because of the lack of evidence, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the risks to the foetus. Until more information is available, doctors should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal period.

Numerous studies have proven that women can continue to take their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In the end, an increasing number of patients opt to do this and in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication exceed any risk.

It's important for women with ADHD who are contemplating breastfeeding to seek out a specialist psychiatrist's advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of continuing treatment, including non stimulant adhd medications for adults-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation is also required to help pregnant people with ADHD understand their symptoms and the underlying disorder Learn about the available treatments and to reinforce existing strategies for coping. This should be 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, as well as monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if necessary adjustments to the medication regimen.