ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Women suffering from ADHD must make a difficult decision regarding whether or not to stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There is a lack of information about how long-term exposure to these drugs can affect the fetus.

A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to adhd medication Private prescription (http://idea.informer.com/users/helenisrael36/?what=personal) medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological problems such as hearing loss or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge that more high quality studies are needed.

Risk/Benefit Analysis

Women who are pregnant and taking adhd medication and pregnancy medications must weigh the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the fetus. Doctors don't have the data needed to provide clear recommendations however they can provide information about the risks and benefits to aid pregnant women in making informed decisions.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that women who took ADHD medications in early pregnancy did not face an increased risk of fetal heart malformations or major birth defects that are structural. Researchers conducted a large population-based study of case-control to assess the risk of major structural birth defects in babies born to mothers who had taken stimulants in early pregnancy and those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists reviewed the cases to ensure an accurate case classification and to limit the chance of bias.

However, the researchers' study was not without its flaws. The most important issue was that they were unable to distinguish the effects of the medication from the disorder at hand. This limitation makes it difficult to know whether the small associations observed in the exposed groups are due to the use of medication or comorbidities that cause confusion. The researchers also did not examine the long-term effects for the offspring.

The study did reveal that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medication during pregnancy were at slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants who whose mothers did not take 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 influenced by the stimulant medication used during pregnancy.

Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher risk of having 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.

The research suggests that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during early pregnancy could be offset by the higher benefit to both the mother and child of continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should discuss this with their patients and, if they are able, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that can lessen the impact of her disorder on her daily life and relationships.

Interactions with Medication

As more women than ever before are being diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the question of whether to continue or stop treatment during pregnancy is a question that more and more physicians have to face. These decisions are usually made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, doctors have to take into account their own experience and experience, as well as the experiences of other physicians and the research on the subject.

Particularly, the subject of potential risks for the baby can be tricky. A lot of studies on this subject are based on observational data rather than controlled research, and their findings are often contradictory. The majority of studies focus on live births, which may underestimate the teratogenic impact that can lead to terminations or abortions of pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these issues by examining data on both live and deceased births.

The conclusion The conclusion: While some studies have shown a positive association between adhd medication options medications and the possibility of certain birth defects, others have found no such relationship and the majority of studies show a neutral or even slightly negative effect. In the end, a careful risk/benefit assessment must be conducted in every instance.

For many women with ADHD, the decision to discontinue medication is difficult, if not impossible. In a recent article 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 those suffering from the disorder. The loss of medication can a doctor prescribe adhd medication affect the ability to drive safely and perform work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of everyday life for those with ADHD.

She suggests that women who are not sure whether to take the medication or stop due to pregnancy should educate family members, colleagues, and acquaintances about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the benefits of keeping the current treatment regimen. It can also help women feel supported in her decision. Certain medications can pass through the placenta. If a woman decides to stop taking her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it is crucial to be aware that the medication may be transferred to her infant.

Birth Defects Risk

As the use of ADHD drugs to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) grows there are concerns over the impact that these medications could have on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge on this issue. Researchers utilized two massive data sets to examine more than 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, the first trimester ADHD medication exposure was associated with slightly higher rates of specific heart defects such as ventriculoseptal defect.

The authors of the study could not discover any connection between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are consistent with previous studies showing a small but significant increase in the risk of heart malformations among women who began taking ADHD medications before pregnancy. The risk was higher during the latter part of pregnancy, when many women are forced to stop taking their medication.

Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery and also have a low Apgar after birth and had a baby that required help breathing after birth. However the researchers 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 issues that could be a contributing factor to these findings.

The researchers hope that their research will serve to inform the clinical decisions of doctors who encounter pregnant women. They recommend that, while the discussion of the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or keep treatment should be based on the woman's needs and the severity of her ADHD symptoms.

The authors also warn that even though stopping the medication is an option, it isn't a recommended practice because of the high incidence of depression and other mental health issues in women who are pregnant or who are recently post-partum. Further, research shows that women who stop taking their medications will have a difficult transitioning to life without them once the baby is born.

Nursing

It can be a stressful experience becoming a mother. Women who suffer from ADHD can face severe challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a child and adjust to new routines. As such, many women choose to continue taking their strattera adhd medication medications throughout the course of pregnancy.

The risk for breastfeeding infant is not too high since the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk at low levels. The rate of medication exposure will vary based on the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of day. In addition, various medications are introduced into the baby's system through the gastrointestinal tract or through breast milk. The effect on the health of a newborn is not completely comprehended.

Because of the lack of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medication during the pregnancy of a woman. It is a difficult decision for the mother, who must weigh the benefits of taking her medication as well as the potential risks to the foetus. Until more information is available, GPs should ask all pregnant patients about their history of ADHD and if they are taking or planning to take medication during the perinatal time.

Numerous studies have proven that women can continue taking their ADHD medication without risk during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a rising number of patients are opting to do this. They have discovered after consulting with their doctors, that the benefits of retaining their current medication outweigh any possible risks.

Women who suffer from ADHD who plan to breastfeed should seek advice from an expert psychiatrist prior to becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their doctor adhd medication Private prescription and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological strategies. Psychoeducation should also be provided to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of their symptoms and underlying disorder and learn about treatments and to reinforce existing coping strategies. This should be a multidisciplinary approach with the GPs, obstetricians and psychiatry. The pregnancy counselling should consist of the discussion of a treatment plan for both the mother and child, as well as monitoring for signs of deterioration, and, if necessary, adjustments to the medication regimen.