ADHD Medication Pregnancy
The doctors are often asked if women should cease taking their ADHD medication during pregnancy. A new study from Denmark adds to the evidence and suggests that women shouldn't take this step.
The study used data from the national prescription database to determine exposure to ADHD medications in the uterus. The study was adjusted for a variety of confounders including the calendar year as well as socio-demographic variables, maternal mental and physiological health and proxy measures for the use of drugs.
Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD medication can aid 70 to 80% of adults and children improve their focus, complete tasks, enhance their relationships with others and perform better at work or at school. The medication may be the only treatment needed or in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes. The first step is to identify the right dosage and medication and dosages, which could be an experiment. It is crucial to be honest about your symptoms and how they affect your life. The more you know about ADHD and the treatment options that work, the easier it is to treat.
Stimulants are used to manage the symptoms of ADHD, which cause difficulty in paying attention to the present, planning ahead and completing tasks, and interrupting and fidgeting. Stimulants come in liquid and chewable tablet forms, and are generally prescribed between two and three times a every day. They start working within 30 to 45 minutes, and last for 3-4 hours. People may experience adverse effects, like headaches or stomachaches, when taking these medications. These side effects tend to diminish as time passes.
The use of medications for ADHD may affect the pregnancy 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 other medications the woman is taking, such as the over-the-counter ones, such as herbal supplements and vitamins. Women with untreated ADHD during pregnancy are at greater risk for a number of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders, after the birth.
A recent study of more than 2,000 women who were on ADHD medications and then became pregnant, they were found to have a slightly higher risk of having 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 baby with a central neurological disorder.
The researchers in this study warned that the results of the study may not be applicable to all women, and that more research is needed to determine the security of ADHD medication during pregnancy. However, they say that this study should offer some comfort to women who were concerned about discontinuing their ADHD medications during pregnancy.
adhd medication uk for Insomnia
There are a variety of reasons that can cause insomnia, such as either long or short-term changes (like jet sleep or a night in an unfamiliar environment), mental health issues like depression and anxiety or physical ailments, such as suffering from chronic illness. Most often, sleep issues improve on their own within under a month. However, they can also become more long-term problems that need to be addressed with lifestyle changes and medication.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a range of drugs that aid in falling asleep and sleep, and feel more rested. These are referred to as sedatives or hypnotics. Some are only available by prescription, while others are sold over the counter like melatonin or diphenhydramine. Many sleep medications are classified Category B and safe to use while pregnant. Other sedating medications are in category C. This means they may cause harm for the baby if used for prolonged periods of time or in high doses. Your doctor can determine which prescription drugs are the most secure during pregnancy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a more comprehensive treatment of insomnia. CBT is extremely effective and it can be adapted to pregnant women. It includes learning to change negative beliefs and thoughts about sleep, changing the behaviors that hinder sleep, and implementing relaxation techniques. This therapy can be completed by a therapist or using an instructional book.
If mood disorders result in insomnia, treating these conditions can improve sleep. This is particularly true for anxiety and depression. Antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) or the more traditional tricyclic antidepressants, are extremely beneficial for depression. Anti-anxiety medication, such as Clonazepam and alprazolam are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety.
It is important to remember that lifestyle changes are the best method to treat any sleep disorder, no matter the medication used. This includes abstaining from caffeine, using the bathroom regularly and not snoring. Only use medication when it is absolutely necessary and only for a limited period of time. Making sure to use only the most popular and safest medications can reduce the risk of adverse reactions for both the mother and baby.
Medications for Depression
The drugs used to treat ADHD and depression may have different effects during pregnancy. Generally, the use of stimulants and antidepressants are safe for women who are pregnant, although women should check 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 drugs increase the levels in the brain of specific chemicals, including serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters regulate mood and improve alertness. The most common antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) they are believed to work by blocking an enzyme that breaks down these chemicals. Examples of SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil).
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly employed to treat ADHD. They are believed to be effective by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. During the first three months of pregnancy, estrogen increases dopamine. This reduces symptoms of ADHD, but when the amount of estrogen decreases, symptom flare-ups may occur.
It can be difficult for pregnant women with ADHD to decide if they should continue taking their medication. There aren't many studies on the effects of psychiatric drugs on pregnant women and their babies. 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 found that infants exposed to ADHD medication while pregnant did not experience any long-term adverse side effects. This study provided a summary of the outcomes for over 5,800 mothers with their children. It was the most comprehensive study to date examining the safety of non-stimulant and stimulant ADHD medications during pregnancy.
However the authors of this study noted that there are a number of limitations to this study, such as the possibility of incorrect classification and significant attrition. Additionally the study did NOT examine the short-term effects or other mental health problems. The authors also highlight the difference between the women who continued to take their medications throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well as those who stopped or stopped it. They were older when they were born and more likely to smoke and to take other psychotropic drugs. They also had a higher likelihood to use methylphenidate - a type of ADHD medication.
Anxiety Medications
Adults with anxiety disorders can generally function well when they are on medication. Taking the medication helps them achieve work and social goals to maintain healthy relationships and enjoy more satisfaction overall. When they become pregnant they are faced with a dilemma: Should they continue their treatment or stop? The decision can have a wide-ranging impact on the mother and any children she may later have. Many doctors recommend that patients quit taking psychiatric drugs in the event of pregnancy 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 study found that a woman's decision quit ADHD medication during the first trimester was associated with an increased risk of termination (lost or miscarriage) than women who continued their medications. Researchers found that infants born to mothers who stopped taking ADHD medication did not have an increased chance of having fetal defects.
Treatments for anxiety include antidepressants and anxiolytics. Antidepressants can help with anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. This improves mood. SSRIs are typically the first choice for antidepressant drugs used to treat anxiety. SNRIs are a second option, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, are another alternative. MAOIs block the action of certain chemicals such as adrenaline and noradrenaline that are involved in the fight-or-flight response to stress.
Anxiolytics like Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Xanax can reduce anxiety swiftly. They are physically addictive, and are usually prescribed for short-term use if severe anxiety is present.
For most adults, stopping their medication to get pregnant isn't a reasonable solution. Reduce symptoms by altering your lifestyle is a better alternative. A healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding caffeine all contribute to reducing symptoms of anxiety. A therapist specially trained to treat anxiety could be extremely helpful. Support groups can also provide women who have had similar experiences with understanding and compassion.