New Research from the CWMH: Risk of Major Malformations in Infants with Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines
Data from an ongoing pregnancy registry offers reassurance that benzodiazepines do not appear to have major teratogenic effects.
Essential Reads: More Data on ADHD Medications and Pregnancy
Women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often discontinue psychostimulant medications during pregnancy, especially if they have milder symptoms. While this approach makes sense in terms of limiting unnecessary exposures in women with what appears to [...]
Interpreting New Data on the Use of Benzodiazepines During Pregnancy
Data regarding the reproductive safety of benzodiazepines has always been somewhat difficult to understand. While earlier studies suggested an association between prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines and increased risk of cleft lip and palate, more recent [...]
Clinical Update 2019: Lithium and Pregnancy
While the use of lithium has been in decline over the last 20 years, lithium continues to be a useful and highly effective mood stabilizer for women with bipolar disorder. We have long been aware [...]
Valproic Acid: Highlighting Risk and Modifying Prescribing Patterns in Reproductive Age Women
For clinicians who have not yet discovered the incredibly thoughtful and clinically practical monthly articles from Chittaranjan Andrade in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, it’s time to take a look. (Not only are these articles [...]
Higher Doses of Topiramate (Topamax) During Pregnancy, Increased Risk of Oral Clefts
Topiramate (TPM, marketed as Topamax) is an antiepileptic drug which is also used for migraine prophylaxis, weight loss, and, less commonly, as a mood stabilizer. Over the last few years we have seen several studies [...]
Good News: More Data on the Use of ADHD Medications During Pregnancy
For women with mild to moderate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, we often recommend discontinuing stimulant medications and switching to a non-pharmacologic intervention. Many women experience some decrease in their level of functioning; however, they are [...]
More Data on Pregabalin (Lyrica) and Pregnancy
Pregabalin (marketed in the US as Lyrica) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. It is also used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders, most [...]
USPSTF Emphasizes Periconceptual Use of Folic Acid to Prevent Birth Defects
Neural tube defects are among the most common major congenital anomalies in the United States and are associated with significant disability and death. The risk of neural tube defects can be prevented with daily folic [...]
New Research from the CWMH: Prenatal Exposure to Atypical Antipsychotics Does Not Increase Risk of Malformations
The use of the newer “atypical” or second-generation antipsychotic agents continues to increase. These medications are used to treat a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders. Although [...]