15 Amazing Facts About ADHD Medication And Pregnancy That You Never Known ADHD Medication and Pregnancy

Physicians struggle to provide accurate information regarding the security of ADHD medications during pregnancy. In the absence research, doctors must weigh up the benefits and risks of taking medication during pregnancy.

A study of a population-based sample has followed 898 infants who were born to mothers who had taken ADHD medications during pregnancy (stimulants amphetamine methylphenidate ; dexamphetamine non-stimulants modafinil, atomoxetine, and clo) until they were identified as having a developmental disorder, passed away or left the country.

Risk/Benefit Discussion

CAP Smart Take

Physicians are concerned about the long-term consequences of exposure to drugs during utero, particularly to centrally stimulating medications such as those prescribed for ADHD. It is crucial that women receive the appropriate medical advice from their doctors regarding the risks and benefits of taking medication prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. In this CAP Smart Take, we review the most recent research in this field and how it can influence the clinical practice.

Animal studies as well as illicit drug use research suggest that stimulant medications pass to the fetus via the placenta, and could negatively affect fetal development and growth. There is however, a limited amount of data on how the fetus responds to therapeutic doses of prescription stimulant medication during pregnancy, and the majority of this evidence comes from single-arm studies that have not been sufficiently powered to identify significant associations.

The recent study by Cohen et al4 stands out from the others as it is the biggest and most tightly controlled. The study comprised a sample of 364,012 births from the Danish Medical Registry, and information about the use of medications was gathered by analyzing prescriptions that were redeemed. The researchers specifically excluded women who reported taking SSRI medications or clonidine, because these medications can interfere with the fetal NMDA receptor and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The authors modified their analysis to take into account the timing of exposure as well as make sure that they control for confounding factors.

The findings from this study, as well as the results of other studies, suggest that the majority of women who continue to take their prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD during pregnancy do not experience any adverse effects on their fetuses. As a result, it is likely that a lot of women will continue to take their medications for ADHD during pregnancy. However, it is important that doctors carefully weigh the benefits and risks of these medications for pregnant patients, and take into consideration the individual circumstances of each patient prior to suggesting that they stop taking their medication. buy adhd medication uk is important that pregnant women suffering from ADHD inform their partners, extended families, and employers of the decision they've taken. This is because the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity will likely come back after the mother ceases taking her medications.

Pregnancy Tests

Preconception counseling for women with ADHD who are planning to become pregnant should focus on a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both behavioral and pharmacologic treatment and ongoing monitoring throughout the perinatal period. The plan should include a discussion about the current treatment regimens, especially in the first trimester where the risk of harming the baby because of untreated ADHD are highest. This should be a collaborative effort between primary care and psychiatry and the obstetrics department.

The discussion of risk/benefit should also discuss how a woman intends to manage her symptoms of ADHD during pregnancy, including the impact on family functioning and how she would feel about a decision to stop psychostimulant therapy during the initial stages of the pregnancy. This should be based upon an exhaustive review of the evidence available and be mindful of the individual needs and concerns.

The authors of a huge study that followed children who were exposed to ADHD medications during utero concluded that "continuation psychostimulant use during the early stages of pregnancy did not cause adverse birth outcomes and if anything, was associated with less stress among mothers." However their conclusion isn't without limitations. The study did not take into account other factors such as the duration of time stimulant medication was taken as well as the dose and sociodemographics. Furthermore, there is no controlled study that examines the safety of a continuous use of psychostimulants in nursing mothers.

There isn't any definitive scientific data on the safety of ADHD medication during pregnancy. However, most doctors are aware of the research findings and will apply best practices in consultation to each patient's specific needs. For instance, it's well-known that there is a higher rate of cardiac malformations among babies born to mothers who have taken methylphenidate within the first trimester of pregnancy (Cooper et al. 2018) It is important to note that this result was based on a small study that did not take into account for variations in patient demographics or underlying psychiatric co-morbidity.

In an earlier survey of ADDitude readers, they found that they are more likely than ever to quit taking their ADHD medication in the early stages of pregnancy. Women who stopped psychostimulants during the first trimester showed a clinically significant rise in depression symptoms. They also found themselves less able enjoy pregnancy and rated family functioning as more challenging than those who continued to take their dose of ADHD medication or increased it.

Work Functioning Test

The test of work function is a vital component of the exam in that it determines whether the candidate is able to perform their job. The test is designed to assess functional limitations and include materials handling that is graded (lifting to various levels pushing and pulling) as well as positional tolerance tests (sitting or standing and walking, balancing and stooping, kneeling and crawling) and other relevant specialized tests (hand manipulation). The evaluator will analyze the results and draw a return to the conclusion of the test. ROC curves are used to illustrate the point at which there is a minimum misclassification (MIC) for both physical and general working ability as well as the functional problem score.

The MIC is calculated by using the COnsensus Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments Checklist (COSMIN). This method differentiates scores for general physical work capabilities and work-functioning issues, by answering an anchor question. This will prevent a change in metrics from affecting the average.

Driving Test

Psychostimulant medication is a gold standard treatment for ADHD. It increases safety for drivers and decreases symptoms. Untreated severe ADHD can have severe financial and psychosocial consequences.

Psychotherapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or "coaching" techniques have been shown by research to reduce symptoms and improve performance. These strategies can help women to tailor their schedules and utilize their coping abilities to minimize their ADHD's impact on work and other aspects.


All of these aspects can be significant considerations in the decision whether to continue or discontinue psychostimulant therapy. As the best available data indicate, although there is some concern about pregnancy outcomes with in utero exposure to stimulant medications the risk is minimal and the outcomes are influenced by other medications, maternal health treatment, maternal mental and physical health and other comorbidities. Bang Madsen K., Bliddal m., Skoglund cb., Larsson h., Munk-Olsen T., Hove Thomsen p., Bergink V. In-utero exposure to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and its effects on offspring.