Why All The Fuss About ADHD Medication Pregnancy?

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 that women should not stop taking ADHD medications during pregnancy.

The study used data from the prescription database to assess exposure to ADHD medications during utero. It adjusted for a variety of confounding factors, such as calendar year, pregnancy characteristics, socio-demographic factors, physical and mental health of mothers as well as proxies for substance use.

Medicines for Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD medication can help 70 to 80% of people with the condition focus more, finish tasks, interact better with other people, and enhance their performance at school or at work. The medication could be the only treatment required or combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications. The first step is to find the right medications and doses, which can be a trial-and-error process. It is important to be honest and open about your symptoms, including how they affect your daily life. The more you know about ADHD and the treatments that work, the easier it will be to treat.

Stimulants can help control ADHD symptoms, such as difficulties in paying attention, planning and completing tasks as well as fidgeting, interrupting, and fumbling. The stimulants are available in liquid or chewable tablet forms, and typically are prescribed between two and three times per each day. They begin to work within 30 to 45 minutes and last for about 3 to 4 hours. These medicines can cause unwanted side effects like stomachaches or headaches. These side effects tend to diminish with time.

Treatments for ADHD could affect the pregnancies process and women planning to get pregnant or are already pregnant should talk to their doctor about the symptoms and how they are treating them. The doctor might inquire about any other medications that the woman is taking, such as over-the counter ones like herbal supplements and vitamins. Untreated ADHD during pregnancy puts women at greater risk of developing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety disorders.

A recent study of over 2500 women who were taking ADHD medication and then got pregnant found that they had a slightly higher risk of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling), having a baby delivered by cesarean section, or their babies being admitted to an intensive care unit for newborns. The women also had an increased chance of having a child with a central neurological disorder.

The researchers behind this study warn that the findings aren't necessarily applicable to all women and they suggest that more research should be done about the safety of ADHD medications during pregnancy. However, they claim that this study will provide some comfort to women who were concerned about discontinuing their ADHD medication during pregnancy.

Medicines for Insomnia

Sleep disturbances can be caused by various factors, including life changes, mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, or physical ailments such as chronic pain. Sleep problems can usually improve by themselves within a month. Occasionally, however they can turn into chronic problems that require lifestyle changes and medications.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a variety of medications that help people to fall asleep, sleep and feel rested. These are called sedative or hypnotic medicines. Some sleep medications are only available on prescription, while others, such as diphenhydramine and melatonin, are sold over-the-counter. Many sleep medications are classified in Category B and are safe to use while pregnant. Other sedatives are classified in the category of C. This means they can cause harm to the baby if used for prolonged periods of time or at high doses. Your doctor will be able to tell you which prescription drugs are safest during pregnancy.

A more extensive treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT. This therapy is highly efficient and can be adapted to pregnant women. It involves retraining negative beliefs and thoughts about sleep, changing behaviors which interfere with sleep and practicing relaxation techniques. This treatment can be performed by a therapist or by using an instructional book.

If mood disorders can cause insomnia, treating these conditions can improve sleep. This is particularly true for anxiety and depression. Antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) or the older tricyclic antidepressants, are extremely beneficial to those suffering from depression.  adhd medication ritalin -anxiety drugs, like Clonazepam and alprazolam, are often prescribed for anxiety.

It's important to keep in mind that lifestyle changes are the most effective method to treat any sleep disorder, no matter the medication used. This includes not drinking caffeine, visiting the bathroom frequently, and not snoring. Only use medication if it is necessary and only for a short duration. Using only the most common and safest medications helps minimize the risk of side effects in both mom and baby.

Treatments for depression

The drugs used to treat ADHD and depression can have different effects during pregnancy. Stimulants and antidepressants are generally safe for pregnant women. However, women must consult their doctor before starting any new medication.

The majority of women suffering from depression will require an antidepressant combination as well as psychotherapy and other drugs to recover. The medications increase the levels in the brain of certain chemicals, including norepinephrine and serotonin. These are the neurotransmitters that control mood and increase alertness. The most common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) they are believed to block an enzyme that breaks down these chemicals. Examples of SSRIs are fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

ADHD is most commonly treated using stimulant medications. These drugs are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. In the initial three months of pregnancy, estrogen boosts dopamine. This reduces symptoms of ADHD however, when the level of estrogen decreases, symptom flare-ups can occur.

It isn't easy for pregnant people with ADHD to decide whether or not they should continue taking their medication. This is because there are few studies of the effect of psychiatric medications on pregnant women and their babies. Stopping treatment can be difficult for many people with ADHD who believe they are able to perform well on medication.

Fortunately, a study published in CNS Drugs concluded that there no long-term negative effects on babies who had been exposed to ADHD medication during pregnancy. This study included a retrospective review of the results of more than 5,800 mothers and their children. It was the largest study to date that examined the safety of non-stimulant and stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy.

Nevertheless the authors of this study noted that there are a number of issues with this study, including possible outcome incorrect classification and significant attrition. Furthermore, the study did not look at short-term outcomes or other mental health conditions. The authors also point out that the group of women who continued taking their medications during pregnancy and postpartum differed from the women who quit or discontinued their medication. They were older when they conceived and more likely to smoke and also take other psychotropic medications. They also were more likely to use methylphenidate - an type of ADHD medication.

Anxiety Medications

Adults with anxiety disorders typically function well when they are on medication. They can achieve their goals in work and social life and maintain healthy relationships by taking the medication. When they begin to become pregnant, they are faced with a dilemma: should they continue or stop their treatment? The decision has far-reaching effects on the mother, as well as the children she might have. Many doctors recommend to their patients to stop their medication when they become pregnant or nursing, since there isn't much information about the effects of psychiatric drugs on fetuses or babies.

A large-scale study showed that a woman's decision quit ADHD medication during the first trimester was linked to greater rates of termination (lost or miscarriage) than women who continued their medications. However the researchers found no increase in the risk of fetal cardiac defects in infants whose mothers had discontinued their ADHD medication.

Antidepressants and axiolytics are two medicines that can be used to combat anxiety. Antidepressants help people with anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain, which help improve mood. SSRIs are the most popular antidepressant medications prescribed to combat anxiety. SNRIs are a second choice, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs are a different option. MAOIs block the actions of certain chemicals, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are involved in the fight-or-flight response to stress.

Anxiolytics, such as benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin can reduce anxiety swiftly. They are physically addictive and are usually prescribed only for short-term use when extreme anxiety is present.

For the majority of adults, stopping their medication to become pregnant isn't an option. However, reducing symptoms through lifestyle changes is. Getting enough rest and exercise and eating a balanced diet, and staying away from caffeine can all help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. A therapist specially trained to treat anxiety could be extremely beneficial. Additionally support groups can offer care and understanding from other women with similar experiences.