ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women with ADHD must make a difficult decision on whether to keep or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There aren't enough data on how exposure to ADHD for a long time could affect the foetus.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication in the uterus do not develop neurological disorders like hearing or vision impairment seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for more high-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Women who are pregnant and take ADHD medication should weigh the benefits of taking it against the possible risks for the baby. Physicians don't have the data to make unambiguous recommendations, but can provide information about risks and benefits to assist pregnant women to make informed decisions.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who were taking ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not have a significantly increased risk of fetal cardiac malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case control to examine the prevalence of major structural defects in infants who were born to mothers who took stimulants during pregnancy. Clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists and other experts looked over the cases to confirm that the classification was correct and to minimize any bias.
However, the study had its limitations. The most important issue was that they were not able to differentiate the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult to determine whether the small differences observed in the exposed groups result from medication use or comorbidities that cause confusion. In addition the researchers did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study revealed that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at a slightly higher risk of admission to the neonatal care unit (NICU), compared to mothers who didn't take any medication during pregnancy or stopped taking their medication before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not affected by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.
Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy were also at an increased chance of having a caesarean delivery or having a child with low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appear to be independent of the type of medication used during pregnancy.
The research suggests that the low risk associated with the use of
adhd and depression medication medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the greater benefit for both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and try to help them develop coping strategies that can lessen the impact of her disorder in her daily functioning and her relationships.
Medication Interactions
As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether or not to stop treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians face. Often, these decisions are made in the absence of solid and reliable evidence either way, so physicians have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject, along with their
best adhd medication uk judgment for each individual patient.
In particular, the issue of possible risks to the baby can be tricky. A lot of studies on this topic are based on observations rather than controlled research, and their conclusions are often contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may underestimate the severity of teratogenic effects that could cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these limitations by analyzing both data on live and deceased births.
Conclusion A few studies have revealed an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. The majority of studies show an unintended, or somewhat negative, impact. Therefore an accurate risk-benefit analysis must be done in each case.
For women suffering from ADHD and ADD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In fact, in an article recently 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 these patients. A loss of medication may also impact the ability to drive safely and to perform work-related tasks which are essential aspects of everyday life for those suffering from ADHD.
She suggests that women who are unsure about whether to continue or stop medication in light of their pregnancy, consider informing family members, friends, and coworkers on the condition, its effects on daily life, and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. It will also help a woman feel confident about her decision. It is important to note that certain medications are able to pass through the placenta so if the patient decides to discontinue her
strongest Adhd Medication medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the infant.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
buy adhd medication online uk) increases there are concerns over the impact that these drugs might have on foetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this topic. Utilizing two huge data sets researchers were able to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancies and see whether stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. While the overall risk is low, the researchers discovered that the first-trimester exposure to ADHD medicines was associated with a slightly higher rate of certain heart defects, such as ventriculoseptal defect (VSD).
The researchers behind the study found no connection between the use of early medications and congenital abnormalities such as facial clefting or club foot. The results are in agreement 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 pregnancy. The risk was higher in the later part of pregnancy, when many women begin to discontinue their ADHD medication.
Women who took ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely to require a caesarean delivery or have a low Apgar after birth and have a baby who needed help breathing when they were born. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate selection bias by limiting 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 study will provide doctors with information when they see pregnant women. The researchers advise that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the choice about whether to continue or stop medication should be made in light of the severity of each woman's ADHD symptoms and the needs of the woman.
The authors caution that, although stopping the medication is a possibility to look into, it is not advised because of the high incidence of depression and other mental problems in women who are expecting or have recently given birth. Additionally, the research suggests that women who decide to stop their medications are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them following the baby's arrival.
Nursing
It can be a challenge to become a mom. Women with ADHD who have to manage their symptoms while attending physician appointments as well as making preparations for the arrival of their child and adapting to new routines in the home can experience severe challenges. Therefore, many women elect to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout the course of pregnancy.
The risk to breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medications passes through breast milk at low levels. The rate of medication exposure can vary depending upon the dosage the medication is administered, its frequency and the time of the day. In addition,
different types of adhd medication medications are introduced into the baby's system through the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not fully known.
Due to the absence of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during the course of pregnancy. This is a difficult decision for the woman, who must weigh the advantages of her medication against the potential risks to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and whether they are planning or taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
Numerous studies have proven that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. In response, a growing number of patients are opting to continue their medication. They have found through consultation with their physicians that the benefits of continuing their current medication far outweigh any risk.
Women who suffer from
adult adhd medication uk who are planning to nurse should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber, and the pros and cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help pregnant people with ADHD recognize their symptoms and the underlying disorder, learn about available treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should include a multidisciplinary approach with the GP as well as obstetricians, psychiatry and obstetricians. Pregnancy counseling should include a discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and the child, monitoring of signs of deterioration, and, if necessary adjustments to the medication regimen.