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ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Women with ADHD have to make a difficult choice about whether to continue or stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn' adhd medication for adults uk on how long-term exposure to these medications can affect the fetus. A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that children exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy do not develop neurological issues such as impaired hearing or vision, febrile seizures or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality studies. Risk/Benefit Analysis Pregnant women who take ADHD medications need to balance the advantages of using them against the risks to the fetus. Physicians do not have the information needed to give clear guidelines but they can provide information regarding the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make informed choices. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during their early pregnancy did not have a higher risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. Researchers conducted a massive sample-based case control study to assess the frequency of structural defects that were major in infants who were born to mothers who used stimulants during pregnancy. Pediatric cardiologists and clinical geneticists reviewed the cases to ensure correct case classification and to minimize the possibility of bias. However, the study was not without its flaws. In particular, they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from those of the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the few associations observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medications or if they were confounded by co-morbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not examine the long-term outcomes of offspring. The study did show that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a slightly greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than those whose mothers had not taken any medication or had taken off their medication prior to or during pregnancy. The reason for this was central nervous system disorders. The increased risk of admission was not influenced by the stimulant medication that was used during pregnancy. Women who took stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy also had an elevated chance of having a caesarean delivery or having a baby born with a low Apgar score (less than 7). These increases appear to be unrelated to the type of medication used during pregnancy. Researchers suggest that the small risks associated with the use ADHD medications in early pregnancies can be offset by more beneficial outcomes for both mother and baby from continuing treatment for the woman's disorder. Physicians should speak with their patients about this and, if possible, help them improve coping skills which could reduce the effects of her disorder on her daily life and relationships. Medication Interactions As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and being treated with medication, the issue of whether to keep or stop treatment during pregnancy is one that more and more doctors have to face. The majority of these decisions are made without any evidence that is clear and definitive in either case, which means that doctors have to weigh their experience from their own experiences, those of other doctors, and what research suggests on the subject, along with their own judgments for each individual patient. The issue of risk to infants is particularly tricky. The research on this subject is based on observation rather than controlled studies, and the results are 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 issues by analyzing both data on live and deceased births. The conclusion is that while some studies have shown an association between ADHD medications and the risk of certain birth defects, other studies have found no such relationship, and most studies have a neutral or slightly negative effect. In all cases, a careful evaluation of the potential risks and benefits is required. It can be difficult, if not impossible, for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In fact, in a recent article in Archives of Women's Mental Health, psychologist Jennifer Russell notes that stopping ADHD medication during pregnancy can cause depression, feelings of isolation, and family conflict for those suffering from the disorder. Furthermore, a loss of medication may affect the ability to perform job-related tasks and drive safely which are essential aspects of a normal life for many people with ADHD. She suggests that women who are not sure whether to take the medication or stop it due to their pregnancy educate family members, coworkers and friends about the condition, the impact on daily functioning and the benefits of keeping the current treatment plan. In addition, educating them can make the woman feel more comfortable in her struggle with her decision. It is important to note that some medications can pass through the placenta so if the patient decides to discontinue her ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding, she must be aware that the effects of the drug can be passed on to the baby. Birth Defects and Risk of As the use of ADHD medications to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases as do concerns about what impact the drugs might have on the fetuses. A study that was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry adds to the body of knowledge on this subject. Researchers utilized two massive datasets to analyze over 4.3 million pregnancy and determine if stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that, while the risk overall is low, first-trimester ADHD exposure to medication was associated with slightly higher rates of certain heart defects, like ventriculoseptal defect. The researchers of the study could not find any association between early use of medication and other congenital anomalies, like facial deformities, or club feet. The results are in the same vein as previous studies that have shown an insignificant, but small increase in the number of cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medication prior to pregnancy. The risk increased in the latter part of pregnancy when a large number of women began to stop taking their medication. Women who were taking ADHD medication in the first trimester were more likely require a caesarean delivery or have a low Apgar after birth and have a baby that needed help breathing after birth. The researchers of the study were not able to remove bias in selection since they limited their study to women without other medical conditions that could have contributed to the findings. Researchers hope their research will help doctors when they meet pregnant women. They recommend that, while the discussion of the benefits and risks is important however, the decision to stop or maintain treatment should be based on each woman's requirements and the severity of her ADHD symptoms. The authors also warn that even though stopping the medication is an alternative, it is not an option to consider due to the high rate of depression and other mental health problems for women who are expecting or recently postpartum. Additionally, research suggests that women who stop taking their medication will have a harder adjustment to life without them after the baby is born. Nursing It can be a stressful experience to become a mom. Women suffering from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must manage their symptoms, go to doctor appointments, prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. As such, many women choose to continue taking their ADHD medications throughout pregnancy. The risk to a nursing infant is low because the majority of stimulant medication passes through breast milk at a low level. However, the frequency of exposure to medication by the newborn can vary depending on dosage, how often it is administered, and the time of day it is administered. Additionally, different medications enter the baby’s system via the gastrointestinal tract, or through breast milk. The impact on the health of a newborn isn't completely comprehended. Some physicians may discontinue stimulant medication during a woman’s pregnancy due to the absence of research. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must weigh the benefits of continuing her medication against the possible risks to the embryo. As long as more information is available, GPs may ask pregnant patients if they have a background of ADHD or if they plan to take medication during the perinatal phase. Many studies have shown that women can continue taking their ADHD medication in a safe manner during pregnancy and breast-feeding. In response, a rising number of patients are choosing to continue their medication. They have discovered through consultation with their doctors, that the benefits of continuing their current medication outweigh any possible risks. Women who suffer from ADHD who are planning to nurse should seek advice from a specialist psychiatrist before becoming pregnant. They should review their medications with their prescriber and discuss the pros and cons of continued treatment, including non-pharmacological management strategies. Psychoeducation is also necessary to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of the symptoms and the underlying disorder. They should also learn about treatment options and build coping mechanisms. This should be a multidisciplinary approach together with obstetricians, GPs and psychiatry. Counselling for pregnancy should include discussion of a management plan for both the mother and child, and monitoring for signs of deterioration, and the need for adjustments to the medication regimen.