ADHD Medication Pregnancy
GPs are often asked whether women should stop their ADHD medication during pregnancy. A new study from Denmark adds to the evidence and suggests that women should not do so.
The study utilized data from the national prescription database to determine the exposure to ADHD medications in utero. It adjusted for a variety of measured confounders, including calendar year, pregnancy characteristics, socio-demographic factors maternal mental and physical health as well as proxy measures for substance use.
Medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD medication helps 70 to 80 percent of children and adults who suffer from the condition are able to focus better to complete their tasks, get along better with others, and improve performance at school or at work. The medications can be taken either on their own or in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. The first step is to find the right medication and doses. This could be a matter of trial and error. It is essential to be open and honest about your symptoms, as well as how they impact your daily life. The more you and your physician know about what works more straightforward it is to manage your ADHD.
Stimulants can help treat ADHD symptoms, like difficulties in paying attention to tasks, planning and completing them that require interruption, fidgeting, or fumbling. They are available in liquid and chewable tablet forms. They are generally prescribed between two and three times per day. They begin to work within 30 to 45 minutes and last for 3-4 hours. There are some negative side effects, like stomachaches or headaches, while taking these medications. These side effects typically disappear with time.
Women who are pregnant or plan to be pregnant should discuss their concerns with their doctor. The doctor can inquire about other medications the woman takes, including the over-the-counter ones, such as vitamins and herbal supplements. If left untreated, ADHD in pregnancy can put women at higher risk of developing mental health problems including depression and anxiety disorders.
A recent study of over 2000 women who were taking ADHD medication, and then became pregnant showed that they were at an increased risk of preeclampsia, which is a high blood pressure, protein levels in urine, and swelling. having their babies delivered by Cesarean birth, or being admitted to the neonatal intensive unit. These women were also at an increased 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 further research is required to determine the safety of ADHD medication during pregnancy. However, they say that this study should offer some relief to women who were worried about removing their ADHD medication during pregnancy.
Medications 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), mental health issues such as anxiety and depression or physical illnesses, such as the pain that comes from a chronic illness. Sleep disturbances can often improve on their own within one month. However, occasionally, they can become chronic issues that require changes in lifestyle and medication.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a number of medications that can help people fall asleep, stay asleep and feel refreshed. These are referred to as sedative or hypnotic medicines. Some are only available by prescription, others are sold on the market for example, melatonin and diphenhydramine. Many sleep medicines are classified as Category B and are safe to use while pregnant. Other sedative medications fall into Category C. adhd and anxiety medication can be harmful to the baby when used for long periods of time or at high doses. Your doctor can tell you which prescription drugs are the most secure during pregnancy.
A more extensive treatment for insomnia involves cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. This therapy is highly efficient and can be adapted to pregnant women. It involves learning to alter unhelpful beliefs and thoughts about sleep, modifying the habits that hinder sleeping and implementing relaxation techniques. This treatment can be done by a therapist, or with the help of an instructional book.
If mood disorders that are underlying are making you sleepy, treating those disorders can also help improve sleep. This is particularly true for depression and anxiety. Antidepressants such as tricyclics with a long history are extremely beneficial for depression. Anti-anxiety medication, such as alprazolam or clonazepam, is frequently prescribed for anxiety.
It is essential to keep in mind that lifestyle changes are the best method to treat any sleep disorder, regardless of the medications used. This includes abstaining from caffeine, using the bathroom frequently, and not sleeping. Medication should be used only when it is absolutely required and for the shortest amount of time possible. Only using the safest and most common medications can help minimize the chance of adverse effects for mom and baby.
Treatments for depression
The drugs used to treat ADHD and depression could have different effects during pregnancy. The stimulants and antidepressants are generally safe for women who are pregnant. However, women should consult their physician prior to beginning any new medication.
The majority of people suffering from depression use a combination of medication, such as antidepressants as well as psychotherapy, to heal. The medications increase the levels in the brain of specific chemicals, such as norepinephrine and serotonin. These are the neurotransmitters which control mood and increase alertness. The most common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are believed to work by blocking an enzyme that breaks down these chemicals. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac) and setraline (Zoloft) as well as paroxetine and sertraline.
Stimulant medications are most commonly employed to treat ADHD. They are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. In the initial three months of pregnancy, estrogen levels increase dopamine. This can lessen the symptoms of ADHD. However, when estrogen levels decrease, symptoms can flare up.
Pregnant people with ADHD have a difficult decision to make about whether they should continue taking their medication. This is because there aren't many studies on the effect of psychiatric medications on pregnant women and their infants. Stopping treatment can be difficult for many people with ADHD who feel they can perform well on medication.
A recent study published in CNS Drugs found that there no long-term negative 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. This was the largest study ever conducted to determine the safety of stimulant ADHD medications and non-stimulant ADHD medication during pregnancy.
The authors of this study have acknowledged that the study has a number of limitations, including the possibility of misclassifying outcomes and significant attrition. The study did not study the short-term effects, or other mental health conditions. The authors also note that the group of women who continued their medications during pregnancy and postpartum differed from those who ceased or stopped taking their medications. They were older when they were first conceived and more likely to smoke and be taking other psychotropic medication. They also were more likely to be taking the drug methylphenidate, which is a particular type of ADHD medication.
Medicines for anxiety
Adults with anxiety disorders often perform well on medications. The medication they take helps them meet their social and work goals to maintain healthy relationships, and enjoy a better quality of life overall. When they become pregnant they face a difficult dilemma: Should they continue their treatment or stop? This decision will have a major impact on the mother and any children she may have. Many doctors advise their patients to cease their medications when they become pregnant or nursing, as little is known about effect of psychiatric drugs on fetuses or babies.
A large-scale study showed that women who discontinued their ADHD medication within the first trimester were at an increased risk of having a miscarriage or losing a baby than those who continued to take the medication. However the researchers found no increased risk of fetal heart defects in infants whose mothers stopped taking their ADHD medication.
The treatment for anxiety may include antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants help people with anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in the brain, which help boost mood. SSRIs are the most popular antidepressant medications prescribed to combat anxiety. SNRIs are a second choice and monoamine oxidase inhibiters, or MAOIs, are a different alternative. MAOIs inhibit the actions of certain chemicals, including noradrenaline and adrenaline that are involved in the fight or flight response to stress.
Anxiolytics such as Benzodiazepines like Klonopin and Xanax can reduce anxiety swiftly. However, they are physically addictive and are generally only prescribed for short-term use in cases of severe anxiety.
Most adults will not stop taking their medication in order to get pregnant. However, reducing symptoms through lifestyle changes is. Getting enough rest and exercising, eating a nutritious diet, and staying away from caffeine can all help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. A therapist with experience in the treatment of anxiety can also be helpful. In addition, support groups can provide care and understanding from women who have had similar experiences.