Lamotrigine and Pregnancy: Meta-Analysis Shows No Increase in Risk for Malformations
 Maintenance treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of relapse in women with bipolar disorder; however, many of the mood stabilizers commonly used in this setting, including lithium and valproic acid, carry some degree of teratogenic risk. In contrast, lamotrigine (Lamictal) appears to be a much safer option for use during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed a total of 21 studies describing pregnancy outcomes and rates of [...]
Weekly Roundup for MAY 5, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
 A slow week.  There is more concerning data regarding the use of marijuana in pregnant women, which is prevalent in pregnant teens.  And an elegant study from Peter Schmidt and David Rubinow which gives us more information regarding the etiology of PMDD and potential strategies for its management.   Marijuana Use During Stages of Pregnancy in the United States. Volkow ND, Han B, Compton WM, Blanco C. Ann Intern [...]
Smoking During Pregnancy Not Associated with Severe Mental Illness in Offspring, But Other Risks Exist
Over the years, we have seen a number of research studies which suggested a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and adverse psychiatric outcomes in offspring, including increased risk for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Â In a recent article published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers reported on the results of a population-based cohort study of 1.7 million Swedish offspring in order to determine if maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated [...]
In Brief: Beta Blockers and Pregnancy, No Observed Increase in Risk of Malformations
Beta blockers are the most commonly used class of medication for treating cardiac conditions in pregnant women. Â They are also effective for the treatment of anxiety symptoms, most commonly performance anxiety. According to a report published online in JAMA Internal Medicine, maternal use of beta-blockers during pregnancy (n=4847) was associated with increased risk for fetal cardiac anomalies; however this finding was observed only in the raw data which was unadjusted for [...]
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. Â It is also used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders, most commonly generalized anxiety disorder. Â While it is not used as frequently as other anti-epileptic drugs, we do occasionally see women taking pregabalin who are pregnant or planning to conceive. Â Last year we reported on a [...]
Weekly Roundup for APRIL 28, 2017: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
The two lead articles take a look at the use of two anticonvulsants during pregnancy, lamotrigine (Lamictal) and pregabalin (Lyrica); the data are reassuring with regard to the reproductive safety of these medications. Pariente G, Leibson T, Shulman T, Adams-Webber T, Barzilay E, Nulman I. Â Pregnancy Outcomes Following In Utero Exposure to Lamotrigine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Â CNS Drugs. 2017 Apr 22. Meta-analysis shows no increase in risk for major [...]