adhd non stimulant medication uk 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 breastfeeding. There aren’t many studies on how long-term exposure may affect the foetus.
A study recently published in Molecular Psychiatry shows that children exposed to ADHD medication during the uterus don’t develop neurological developmental disorders such as impaired vision or hearing, febrile seizures, or IQ impairment. The authors acknowledge the need for higher-quality studies.
Risk/Benefit Analysis
Pregnant women who use ADHD medications need to balance the benefits of taking them against the potential risks to the foetus. The doctors don’t have the information to provide clear recommendations but they can provide information on the risks and benefits to help pregnant women make an informed decision.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry concluded that women who were taking ADHD medication during early pregnancy were not at a greater risk of fetal malformations, or structural birth defects. The researchers used a large, population-based case-control study to determine the prevalence of major structural birth defects in infants born to mothers who had taken stimulants in early pregnancy and those who had not. Clinical geneticists and pediatric cardiologists looked over the cases to ensure accurate classification of the cases and to reduce the chance of bias.
The study of the researchers was not without limitations. In particular, they were unable to separate the effects of the medication from the disorder at hand. This makes it difficult for researchers to determine whether the small differences observed between the groups that were exposed to the use of medication, or if they were confounded by co-morbidities. Additionally, the researchers did not study the long-term outcomes of offspring.
The study did find that babies whose mothers had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy were at a greater risk of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) than infants whose mothers had not taken any medication or stopped their medications before or during pregnancy. This was due to central nervous system-related disorders and the increased risk of admission was not found to be influenced by the stimulant medications were used during pregnancy.
Women who were taking stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy also had a higher likelihood of having to have a caesarean section or one whose baby scored low on the Apgar scale (less than 7). These risks did not appear to be affected by the type of medication that was used during pregnancy.
The researchers suggest that the risk of a small amount with the use of ADHD medications during the early stages of pregnancy may be offset by the greater benefits to both the mother and child of continued treatment for the woman’s disorder. Physicians should discuss the issue with their patients and, when possible, assist them in developing strategies to improve coping skills that may minimize the negative impact of her condition on her daily functioning and relationships.
Medication Interactions
Doctors are increasingly faced with the decision of whether to continue treatment or stop during pregnancy as more women are diagnosed with ADHD. These decisions are often made without clear and reliable evidence. Instead, physicians must take into account their own experience in conjunction with the experiences of other doctors, and the research on the topic.
The issue of possible risks to infants is difficult to determine. Many studies on this topic are based on observations instead of controlled research and their findings are often contradictory. In addition, most studies limit their analysis to live births, which may undervalue the serious teratogenic effects that can cause abortion or termination of the pregnancy. The study discussed in this journal club addresses these issues by examining data on both live and deceased births.
The conclusion: While some studies have found a positive association between best adhd medication uk medications and the risk of certain birth defects, others have not found any evidence of a link and the majority of studies demonstrate a neutral or slightly negative impact. In the end, a careful risk/benefit analysis must be done in each situation.
It can be difficult, if not impossible for women suffering from ADHD to stop taking their medication. In a recent article in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health by psychologist Jennifer Russell, she notes that stopping Adhd medication pregnancy medications during pregnancy can cause depression and feelings of being isolated. The loss of medication can affect the ability to safely drive and complete work-related tasks, which are vital aspects of daily life for those suffering from ADHD.
She recommends women who are unsure about whether to continue or stop taking medication because of their pregnancy, consider informing family members, friends and colleagues about the condition, its effects on daily functioning, and on the advantages of staying on the current treatment regimen. It can also help women feel supported in her decision. Certain medications can be passed through the placenta. If a woman decides not to take her ADHD medication while pregnant and breastfeeding, it’s important to be aware that the drug could be passed on to her baby.
Birth Defects and Risk of
As the use and use of ADHD medication to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing as does the concern about the potential effects of these drugs on the fetuses. Recent research published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry has added to the body of knowledge regarding this issue. Using two massive data sets researchers were able analyze more than 4.3 million pregnancies and determine whether stimulant medication use increased the risk of birth defects. Researchers discovered that although the overall risk is low, the first trimester treating adhd without medication medication exposure was associated with slightly higher risk of specific heart defects like ventriculoseptal defect.
The authors of the study found no connection between early use of medication and other congenital abnormalities, such as facial clefting or club foot. The findings are in line with previous studies that have shown an increase, but not significant, in the risk of developing cardiac malformations among women who started taking ADHD medications prior to the time of the birth of their child. This risk increased during the latter half of pregnancy when a large number of women decided to stop taking their medication.
Women who used ADHD medication in the first trimester of their pregnancies were also more likely to undergo a caesarean section, a low Apgar score after delivery and a baby who required breathing assistance at birth. The authors of the study could not eliminate selection bias because they limited their study to women with no other medical conditions that might have contributed to the findings.
The researchers hope their research will help inform the clinical decisions of physicians who encounter pregnant women. The researchers advise that, while discussing risks and benefits are important, the decision on whether to continue or stop taking medication should be based on the severity of each woman’s ADHD symptoms and her needs.
The authors also caution that while discontinuing the medications is an option, it is not an option that is recommended due to the high rate of depression and other mental health issues for women who are expecting or recently postpartum. Further, the research suggests that women who choose to stop taking their medication are more likely to experience a difficult time getting used to life without them after the birth of their baby.
Nursing
The responsibilities that come with being a new mother can be overwhelming. Women who suffer from ADHD may face a lot of challenges when they must deal with their symptoms, attend doctor appointments and prepare for the birth of a baby and adjust to a new routine. Many women opt to continue taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The majority of stimulant drugs are absorbed through breast milk in very small amounts, so the risk for breastfeeding infant is minimal. The amount of exposure to medications can vary depending upon the dosage and frequency of administration as well as the time of the day. In addition, various drugs enter the infant’s system through the gastrointestinal tract or breast milk. The effect on a newborn’s health is not completely known.
Because of the lack of research, some physicians may be inclined to discontinue stimulant medications during the pregnancy of a woman. This is a complicated decision for the patient, who must balance the benefit of continuing her medication against the potential dangers to the embryo. In the meantime, until more information is available, doctors should inquire with all pregnant patients about their experience with ADHD and if they plan or are taking to take medication during the perinatal time.
A increasing number of studies have shown that women can continue their ADHD medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In the end, more and more patients opt to do this and in consultation with their physician, they have discovered that the benefits of maintaining their current medication outweigh any risks.
It is essential for women with ADHD who are thinking of breastfeeding to seek a specialist psychiatrist’s advice prior becoming pregnant. They should discuss the medication they are taking with their physician, and the pros and cons of continuing treatment. This includes non-pharmacological methods. Psychoeducation is also needed to help pregnant women suffering from ADHD be aware of the symptoms and underlying disorder. They should also be educated about treatment options and strengthen strategies for coping. This should include an approach that is multidisciplinary, including the GP, obstetricians and psychiatry. Pregnancy counseling should include discussion of a treatment plan for the mother and the child, and monitoring for indicators of deterioration, and, if needed adjustments to the medication regime.