Is Adderall Safe During Pregnancy?

Although pregnancy is a time filled with excitement and anticipation, it can feel like it’s a time of rules to avoid, such as not drinking alcohol or consuming sushi (a myth that has been broken). Don’t even take an ice bath in the tub (even though it would feel great). If you’re expecting, you might also wonder whether ” don’t take your medication” is included.

There are a variety of medications that you can take for nine months of child-growing. One that’s not considered to be safe is Adderall, which is the medication that is used to treat the condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Here’s a look at the reasons your doctor might recommend stopping using Adderall in pregnancy. We’ll also discuss what risks it could pose and other treatment solutions to manage ADHD.

How Adderall functions

If you’re already taking Adderall and are taking it, you’re probably aware that this medication is used to help people with ADHD keep their focus. (It’s also used to treat Narcolepsy.) How does it perform?

Adderall is a mixture of two distinct drugs, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The two drugs work together to stimulate the central nervous system and boost the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Although it might seem counterintuitive to use a stimulant if ADHD already makes your brain race at the speed of a mile and stimulates these specific neurotransmitters, it can help regulate attention and increase focus.

Adderall can be highly effective. One tiny study conducted by Trusted Source in 2001 revealed that patients who used Adderall experienced an average reduction of 42 percent in ADHD symptoms.

However, it comes with disadvantages- regardless of whether you’re pregnant. Some of the side effects include:

• rapid heart rate
• Loss of appetite
• Trouble sleep
• weight loss
• insanity
• Nervousness
• Numbness or coldness in the extremities

There’s also the risk of developing dependence on Adderall.

Security of Adderall during Pregnancy

Adderall is a great option to ease your ADHD symptoms, so don’t hesitate to say “Woohoo!” for modern treatment. However, as efficient as it might be with no buns in your kitchen, the medical field consensus has been that Adderall and pregnancy ought not to go hand-in-hand.

Adderall increases the activity of the nervous system. Aside from the undesirable side effects discussed above, it can also increase the likelihood of suffering from heart attack, psychosis, stroke, or even death. These risks are significant by themselves. However, they are even more severe in situations where the lives of the baby and mother are in danger.

However, despite this general advice, there could be some instances when using Adderall during pregnancy may be a wise choice. “Given the side effects, a pregnant woman would only take Adderall if the benefits outweighed the risks to the baby,” said Dr. Sherry A. Ross, an OB-GYN at Providence Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, California.

“If a pregnant woman was unable to care for herself or her growing baby due to severe and disruptive ADHD symptoms, she may be prescribed Adderall for the benefits to her and, ultimately, her baby.”

If you plan to feed your baby, you must remain clear of Adderall because it’s not advised for mothers who breastfeed. Because the drug can be absorbed through breast milk, it can create undesirable reactions in your baby, for example:

• Appetit loss
• insanity
• insomnia
• Inability to thrive

While it’s tempting to imagine Adderall as a standard treatment for common ailments, it’s vital to understand that it is a potent stimulant. As with all controlled substances, one should use it carefully, whether during pregnancy or not.

A research study from 2018 discovered that Adderall use during pregnancy increased by more than doubling from 1998 to 2011, showing that a lot of people might not be aware of the risks in these crucial nine months. The bottom line is to talk to your physician.

Risks to developing baby

Scientists aren’t as knowledgeable as you would expect about the effects of Adderall’s specific use on pregnant mothers and their infants.

The problem is that it’s challenging to research precisely how drugs affect the babies that are born. There is no reason to conduct research based on the exposure of pregnant women to possibly harmful substances. This is the reason that the majority of studies about Adderall, as well as pregnancy, were conducted using animals.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)Trusted Source research, animal studies have shown that Adderall can increase the risk of congenital defects that affect the limbs and digestive tract. (However, the CDC states that the risk is “shallow.”)

Doctor. Ross notes that there are other issues to think about also. “Babies born to mothers taking Adderall in pregnancy are at increased risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms including agitation, dysphoria, laziness, and poor feeding and growth.”

The review in 2019 by the Trusted Source with eight research studies on pregnant mothers taking Adderall discovered that the medication was not associated with adverse outcomes for mothers or infants. Further research is required to determine the effects of Adderall during pregnancy.

ADHD treatment alternatives during pregnancy

It can be quite a shock to discover that your favorite medication for ADHD is no longer available during your pregnancy. (And it’s not helping that other drugs like Ritalin, Vyvanse, and others are also considered risky.) So, what do you do when traditional treatment for your condition isn’t available?

You have a few options. Your physician may suggest an expert psychologist or counselor who will use talking therapy to help you improve your skills in managing ADHD symptoms.

It is also possible to try various techniques for relaxation, like massage, yoga, or meditation. A small 2017 study conducted by Trusted Source found that those suffering from ADHD who meditated regularly observed improvement in emotional regulation.

Exercise is a low-risk medication for pregnant women suffering from ADHD. A 2018 study by the Trusted Source revealed that those with ADHD had faster reaction times and fewer mistakes during tests when they took part in physical activities.

Ask your doctor which types of exercise could be safe for you to do during the pregnancy.

Certain people suffering from ADHD can also benefit from antidepressants. Particularly those of the tricyclic type, which is believed to increase norepinephrine levels in the brain. As a solution, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant compatible with pregnancy.

It is also possible that your doctor might decide that the advantages of remaining on Adderall are more important than the risk of getting off of it. Should this be the case, then you could have to take more scans and tests during your pregnancy to ensure that your baby is growing and healthy in the right way.

Being pregnant while taking Adderall

Adderall isn’t a good idea when the time comes to be “on the nest,” but what happens when you’re trying for a baby? Some women say that using Adderall may have helped them get pregnant- but any evidence doesn’t prove this.

The research suggests Adderall reduces fertility. A 2017 study conducted by Trusted Source from 17 studies on animals found that ADHD medications impeded reproduction. (Again, due to the possibility of harm, no research has been conducted on humans regarding the topic.)

In general, the guidelines regarding Adderall and attempting to get pregnant are the same as when you are pregnant. “I always advise a patient with ADHD to get off Adderall before she attempts to get pregnant,” Dr. Ross says. Dr. Ross. “Since Adderall is a category C medication, it can be used before getting pregnant only if the benefits to the mom outweigh the risks to the baby.”

Important: “Category C” refers to an earlier FDA classification system. C stated that the drug had shown adverse effects in animal studies and that no “adequate and well-controlled” studies were conducted on humans. Sure doctors still use this classification system.

The main takeaway

If you’re suffering from ADHD, making the right decision for you and your child is often challenging. It’s a delicate process of safeguarding your child’s safety while focusing on your mental wellbeing.

While Adderall may not be the best option for many pregnancies, it might be enough compelling arguments to keep it. If you suffer from ADHD and are unsure whether you should take your medication while pregnant, talk with your physician.

If you’re struggling with dependence on Adderall, be aware that you’re not the only one, and there’s nothing wrong with this. Get help as soon as you can. Its assistance line is a no-cost and confidential resource that provides 24 hours of support throughout the year.