ADHD Medication Pregnancy
GPs are frequently asked whether women should discontinue their ADHD medication during pregnancy. A new Danish study adds to the evidence that women should not stop taking ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The study utilized data from a nationwide prescription database to determine the in-utero exposure to ADHD medications. The study adjusted for various factors that cause confusion, such as the calendar year as well as socio-demographic variables as well as maternal physiological and mental health and proxy measures of substance abuse.
Medicines for Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD medication can help 70 to 80% adults and children increase their concentration, finish tasks, enhance their relationships with others and perform better at work or school. The medication may be the only treatment that is needed or combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications. The first step is to find the appropriate dosages and medications that are appropriate, which is a trial-and-error process. It is important to be honest and open about your symptoms, as well as how they affect your daily life. The more you know about ADHD and the treatment options that work, the more simple it is to manage.
Stimulants are used to treat ADHD symptoms, like difficulty in focusing to tasks, planning and completing them that require interruption, fidgeting, or fumbling. Stimulants come in liquid and chewable tablet forms, and people are usually prescribed two to three times a every day. They start working within 30 to 45 minutes, and last for 3-4 hours. People may experience negative side effects, like stomachaches or headaches, while taking these drugs. These side effects typically subside as time passes.
Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should discuss their concerns with their doctor. The doctor may ask about any other medications the woman takes, including those available over the counter, such as herbal supplements and vitamins. Women who do not treat ADHD during pregnancy are at greater risk of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression after the birth.
A recent study of more than 2,000 women who were on ADHD medications, and then went on to become pregnant discovered that they had an increased chance of developing pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and urine protein and swelling) and having a baby delivered by cesarean section, or their babies being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. They also had a slight chance of having a child with a central neurological disorder.
The researchers in this study warned that the results of the study may not be suitable for all women, and that more research is required to determine the security of ADHD medication during pregnancy. However, they state that this study could provide comfort to many women who were concerned about stopping their ADHD medications during pregnancy.
Medications for Insomnia
Insomnia can be caused by many factors, including life changes or mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or physical illnesses like chronic pain. Sleep problems can usually improve by themselves within one month. Occasionally, however they can develop into chronic problems that require lifestyle changes and medications.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a variety of medications that aid people in falling asleep, sleep and feel rested. These are called sedative or hypnotic medications. Certain sleep medicines are only available on prescription while others, such as diphenhydramine or melatonin, can be available over-the-counter. Many sleep medications carry been rated as Category B and are considered safe for use during pregnancy. Other sedating drugs are in Category C, which means that they could pose risks to the baby in the event of prolonged duration or in large doses. Your doctor can determine which prescription drugs are the most secure during pregnancy.
A more extensive treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. This is extremely efficient and can be modified for pregnant women. It involves retraining unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep, changing the behaviors that disrupt sleep, and learning relaxation techniques. This therapy can be completed with a therapist or with a workbook.
If mood disorders that are underlying are leading to insomnia, treating these conditions can also improve sleep. This is especially true of anxiety and depression. Antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) or the more traditional tricyclic antidepressants can be very helpful for depression. Anti-anxiety medication, like alprazolam or clonazepam is often prescribed to treat anxiety.
It is important to keep in mind that regardless of the medication is used, the first choice for any sleep disorder should be lifestyle changes like abstaining from caffeine and using the bathroom frequently and not snoring during the daytime. Only take medication if it is necessary and only for a limited time. Making sure to use only the most popular and safest medicines helps reduce the chance of adverse effects in both mom and baby.
Medicines for Depression
The drugs used to treat ADHD and depression could have different effects during pregnancy. Generally, the use of stimulants and antidepressants are safe for pregnant women however, women should consult with their physician prior to starting any new medication during pregnancy.
Most women with depression will need an antidepressant combination as well as psychotherapy and other drugs to recover. The medications help to increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain including serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters regulate mood and improve alertness. The most commonly used antidepressants are selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are believed to block an enzyme that breaks down these chemicals. Examples of SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used for ADHD. These drugs are believed to be effective by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. In the first trimester of pregnancy estrogen naturally increases dopamine. This reduces symptoms of ADHD however, when the level of estrogen decreases, symptoms flare-ups may occur.
Pregnant women with ADHD are faced with a difficult decision to make regarding whether they should continue taking their medication. There aren't many studies that examine the effects of psychiatric medications on pregnant women and their children. It can be difficult to stop treatment for many people suffering from ADHD who feel they can function well while on medication.
Fortunately, a recent study published in CNS Drugs concluded that there no negative long-term effects on babies who had been exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy. This study included a review of the outcomes for over 5,800 mothers and their babies. Iampsychiatry was the most comprehensive study to date that examined the safety of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy.
However the researchers of this study pointed out that there are numerous issues with this study, including the possibility of outcome inaccuracy and significant attrition. The study also did not study the short-term effects, or other mental health conditions. The authors also highlight the difference in the women who continued to take their medications during pregnancy and postpartum, and those who stopped or stopped it. They were older when they were first conceived and were more likely to smoke and to be taking other psychotropic medication. They were also more likely to be taking methylphenidate which is a specific kind of ADHD medication.
Medicines for anxiety
Adults with anxiety disorders often perform well on medications. They can meet their goals in work and social life and maintain healthy relationships taking the medication. If they are pregnant, they face a difficult dilemma: Should they continue to take the medication or stop? The decision can have a wide-ranging impact on the mother, and any children she might later have. Many doctors advise their patients to stop their medication if they become pregnant or nursing, as there isn't much information about the effects of psychiatric drugs on babies or fetuses.
A large study revealed that a woman's decision stop taking ADHD medication during the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of termination (lost or miscarriage) than women who continued their medications. Researchers discovered that babies born to mothers who had stopped taking ADHD medication did not have an increased risk of having a fetal defect.
Treatments for anxiety include anxiolytics and antidepressants. Antidepressants aid people suffering from anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve mood. SSRIs are the most popular antidepressant drugs prescribed to combat anxiety. SNRIs are a second option and monoamine oxidase inhibiters, or MAOIs, are another option. MAOIs inhibit the action of certain chemicals like noradrenaline and adrenaline, which are involved in the fight-or-flight response to stress.
Anxiolytics, like benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin can help relieve anxiety swiftly. They are physically addictive and are typically prescribed for short-term use when severe anxiety is present.
For most adults, stopping their medications to get pregnant isn't an acceptable solution. Reduce symptoms by changing your lifestyle is a better alternative. A healthy diet, exercise and eliminating caffeine all contribute to lessening anxiety symptoms. A therapist who is trained to treat anxiety can be extremely helpful. Support groups can provide women who have experienced similar issues with understanding and compassion.