adhd medication not working Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The decision to stop or keep ADHD medication during breastfeeding and pregnancy is a challenge for women suffering from the condition. There aren't many studies regarding how exposure over time may affect a fetus.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus do not develop neurological developmental disorders like hearing loss or impaired vision seizures, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality research is needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and taking ADHD medication must evaluate the benefits of using it versus the risks for the foetus. Doctors don't have the data needed to make unequivocal recommendations however they can provide information about risks and benefits that assist pregnant women in making informed choices.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who took ADHD medication in early pregnancy were not at a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers used a vast population-based case-control study to evaluate the incidence of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants during early pregnancy, and those who did not. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure correct classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.

However, the researchers' study was not without its flaws. The researchers were unable to, in the first place to distinguish the effects caused by the medication from the 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 caused by the presence of comorbidities. Additionally the researchers did not study long-term offspring outcomes.

The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at slightly higher risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants whose mothers had not taken any medication or taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system-related disorders, and the increased risk for admission was not found to be influenced by which stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher chance of having an emergency caesarean section or having a baby that scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication taken during pregnancy.

The researchers suggest that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit for both mother and child from continued treatment for the woman's condition. Doctors should discuss with their patients about this issue and as much as possible, assist them develop coping strategies that could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.

Medication Interactions

As more women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medication, the dilemma of whether to continue or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors confront. Often, these decisions are taken in the absence of solid and reliable evidence in either case, which means that doctors must weigh their knowledge, the experiences of other doctors, and what the research suggests about the subject, along with their own best medication for ocd and adhd judgment for each individual patient.

Particularly, the issue of possible risks to the infant can be difficult. The research that has been conducted on this topic is based on observation instead of controlled studies and the results are contradictory. The majority of studies restrict their analysis to live births, which can underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to abortions or terminations of pregnancy. The study discussed in the journal club addresses these shortcomings, by examining both data on live and deceased births.

Conclusion: While some studies have found an association between ADHD medications and certain birth defects, other studies have not established a link. The majority of studies show a neutral, or even slightly negative, effect. In the end, a careful risk/benefit assessment is required in every case.

For a lot of women with ADHD who suffer from ADHD, the decision to stop taking medication is difficult if not impossible. In an article published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can increase depression, feelings of loneliness and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. The loss of medication can also impact the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are essential aspects of daily life for those with ADHD.

She suggests that women who are unsure whether to take the medication or stop due to pregnancy educate family members, coworkers and acquaintances about the condition, the effects on daily functioning, and the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. Educating them can also make the woman feel more comfortable in her struggle with her decision. It is important to remember that certain medications are able to be absorbed through the placenta so if the patient decides to stop her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she should be aware that traces of the medication could be transferred to the child.

Risk of Birth Defects

As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows there are concerns about what impact the drugs could have on the fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge about this subject. With two massive data sets researchers were able to analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether the use of stimulant medications increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers found that while the overall risk is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defects.

The authors of the study could not discover any connection between early medication usage and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities or club feet. The results are consistent with previous studies revealing the presence of a small, but significant increase in the risk of developing cardiac malformations in women who started taking ADHD medications used for adhd before the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter stages of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication.

Women who used ADHD medication in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to experience caesarean sections, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby that required breathing assistance during birth. However the authors of the study were not able to eliminate bias due to selection by limiting the study to women who did not have any other medical conditions that could be a contributing factor to these findings.

Researchers hope that their study will inform physicians when they encounter pregnant women. They suggest that although the discussion of the risks and benefits is crucial however, the decision to stop or continue medication must be based on each woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors also caution that, while stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high prevalence of depression and other mental health issues among women who are pregnant or who are recently post-partum. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medication will have a tough adjustment to life without them after the baby is born.

Nursing

It can be overwhelming to become a mom. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, attend doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to a new routine. Many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medication during 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 exposure to medication will differ based on dosage, frequency of administration and time of day. Additionally, individual medications enter the body of the baby differently through the gastrointestinal tract as well as breast milk, and the effect of this on a newborn infant is not well understood.

Due to the absence of research, some doctors might be tempted to stop taking stimulant medications during the course of pregnancy. It is a difficult decision for the woman who must weigh the advantages of continuing her medication against the risks to the fetus. Until more information becomes available, GPs can ask pregnant patients if they have an background of ADHD or if they intend to take medication in the perinatal phase.

A growing number of studies have shown that Most Popular Adhd Medication women can safely continue their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In response, an increasing number of patients are opting to do so. They have found after consulting with their doctor, that the benefits of keeping their current medication outweigh possible risks.

Women with ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek the advice of a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should discuss their medication with their prescriber and discuss the pros and Most Popular Adhd Medication cons for continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also needed 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 coping mechanisms. 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 as well as the child, most Popular adhd medication and monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if needed, adjustments to the medication regime.