ADHD Medication Pregnancy
Doctors are often asked if women should stop their ADHD medication during pregnancy. A new study from Denmark adds to the evidence and suggests that women shouldn't do this.
The study utilized data from a nationwide prescription database to measure the exposure of in-utero babies to ADHD medications. The study adjusted for a variety of measured confounders, including calendar year, pregnancy characteristics, socio-demographic factors maternal mental and physical health and proxies for substance use.
Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD medication helps 70 to 80 percent of children and adults who suffer from the disorder focus better to complete their tasks, interact better with others, and increase their performance at work or school. The medications may be the only treatment that is needed or in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. The first step is to find the right medications and doses and dosages, which could be an experiment. It is crucial to be honest about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. The more you and your physician know about the best treatment options and what doesn't, the easier it will be to manage your ADHD.
Stimulants can be used to treat ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in paying attention in completing tasks, planning and organizing as well as fidgeting, interrupting, and fumbling. The stimulants are available in chewable or liquid tablet form. They are usually prescribed two to three times a each day. They begin to work within 30 to 45 minutes, and last for 3-4 hours. These medicines can cause unwanted side effects like headaches or stomachaches. These side effects typically subside with time.
Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss their concerns with their physician. The doctor may ask about other medications the woman takes, including the over-the-counter ones, such as vitamin supplements and herbal supplements. Women who are not treated for ADHD during pregnancy are at higher risk for a number of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders, during the postpartum time.
A recent study of more than 2500 women who had taken ADHD medication and then got pregnant found that they were at a slightly higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia. This is a condition that causes high blood pressure, protein in urine, and swelling, having their babies delivered by Cesarean birth, or being admitted to the neonatal intensive unit. These women also had a slightly increased chance of having a child with a central nervous system disorder.
The researchers behind this study warn that the results are not necessarily applicable to all women, and they suggest that more research should be done about the safety of ADHD medication during pregnancy. However, they say that this study will provide comfort to many women who were worried about discontinuing their ADHD medications during pregnancy.
Medicines for Insomnia
There are a variety of reasons that can cause insomnia, such as short - or long-term life changes (like jet lag or sleeping in a different environment) or mental health issues like depression and anxiety or physical illnesses, such as suffering from chronic illness. Sleep problems can usually improve by themselves within one month. Occasionally, however they can develop into chronic problems that require changes in lifestyle and medication.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a variety of medications that aid in falling asleep and sleep well, and also feel refreshed. These are referred to as sedative or hypnotic drugs. Some sleep medications are only available by prescription, while others, such as diphenhydramine and melatonin, are available over-the-counter. Many sleep medications carry a Category B rating and are safe to use during pregnancy. Other sedating medications are in Category C. This means that they could cause harm for the baby if used for prolonged periods of time or in high doses. Your doctor will determine which prescription drugs are the most secure during pregnancy.
A more extensive treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT. It is highly efficient and can be modified for pregnant women. It involves learning to alter negative thoughts and beliefs about sleep, modifying habits that interfere with sleeping and implementing relaxation techniques. This treatment can be done by a therapist, or with the aid of a workbook.
If mood disorders result in insomnia, treating these disorders can improve sleep. This is especially true of depression and anxiety. Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or the older tricyclic antidepressants, are very helpful for depression. Read the Full Write-up -anxiety medications, such as alprazolam or clonazepam, are frequently prescribed for anxiety.
It is important to keep in mind that, regardless of which medication is used the first option for any sleep disorder should be lifestyle changes for example, not drinking coffee and using the bathroom frequently and not snoring throughout the daytime. Only use medication if it is absolutely necessary and only for a limited duration. The use of only the most secure and well-known medications can reduce the risk of adverse reactions for both mom and the baby.
Depression medications
The drugs used to treat ADHD and depression could have different effects during pregnancy. Generally, the use of antidepressants and stimulants is safe for pregnant women but women must consult with their physician prior to beginning any new medication during pregnancy.
Many women suffering from depression need an array of antidepressants as well as psychotherapy and other drugs to recover. The drugs help increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters regulate mood and increase alertness. Antidepressants are most commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are believed to be effective by blocking the enzyme responsible for breaking these chemicals down. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) setraline (Zoloft), paroxetine, and sertraline.
Stimulant medication is the most frequently used for ADHD. These drugs are believed to be effective by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. In the first three months of pregnancy, estrogen increases dopamine. This can reduce symptoms of ADHD. However, if estrogen levels decrease, symptoms can flare up.
It isn't easy for pregnant women with ADHD to decide whether or not they should continue taking their medication. This is due to the fact that there are few studies of the effects of psychiatric medications on pregnant women and their infants. It can be difficult to stop treatment for many people suffering from ADHD who believe they can function well while on medication.
A recent study published in CNS Drugs concluded that there no negative long-term effects on infants who had been exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy. The study also included a retrospective review of the outcomes of over 5,800 mothers and their children. It was the most comprehensive study to date examining the safety of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy.
The authors of this study have nevertheless noted that this study has many limitations, such as the possibility of misclassifying outcomes and significant attrition. The study did not look at short-term outcomes or other mental health issues. The authors also point out that the women who continued to take their medication during pregnancy and postpartum were different from the groups who stopped or stopped taking their medications. They were older when they conceived and more likely to be smokers and to take other psychotropic drugs. They also had a higher likelihood to take methylphenidate, one of the types of ADHD medication.
Anxiety Medications
Adults suffering from anxiety disorders can often be at their best when they are on medication. They can achieve their goals in work and social life and maintain healthy relationships taking the medication. When they are pregnant they face a dilemma: should they continue or stop the treatment? The choice has a profound impact on the mother, and any children she might later have. Many doctors recommend patients stop taking psychiatric medications when they are pregnant or when they are nursing. This is due to the fact that very little is known about how psychiatric medications affects fetuses as well as babies.
A large-scale study showed that women's decision to discontinue ADHD medication during the first trimester was linked to an increased risk of termination (lost or miscarriage) than women who continued to take their medication. However the researchers found no higher risk of fetal heart defects in infants whose mothers had stopped taking their ADHD medication.
Treatments for anxiety include anxiolytics and antidepressants. Antidepressants can ease anxiety by increasing levels of serotonin within the brain. This can improve mood. SSRIs are the most common antidepressant drugs prescribed to treat anxiety. SNRIs are a second choice and monoamine oxidase inhibiters, or MAOIs, are a different alternative. MAOIs inhibit the actions of certain chemicals, like noradrenaline and adrenaline, which are involved in the fight or flight response to stress.
Anxiolytics like Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Xanax can help relieve anxiety quickly. However, they are physically addictive and are usually only prescribed to treat short-term symptoms of severe anxiety.
The majority of adults will continue taking their medication to become pregnant. Reduce symptoms by changing your lifestyle is the best option. getting enough rest and exercising and eating a healthy diet, and staying away from caffeine can all help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. A therapist trained to treat anxiety may be extremely beneficial. Support groups can also help women who have had similar experiences with compassion and understanding.