The Valproic Acid Warning Clinicians Can’t Ignore: Video from Dr. Marlene Freeman
Dr. Marlene Freeman warns that valproic acid poses severe, well-established reproductive risks and should not be used by anyone who could become pregnant.
You Asked: What is Lithium Orotate? Can It Be Used During Pregnancy?
Lithium orotate is a lithium salt marketed as a supplement, but we do not have evidence that it is an effective or safer mood stabilizer, and it should not be used as a substitute for standard lithium treatment in pregnancy.
Fact Sheet: Valproic Acid (Depakote) and Pregnancy
Using valproic acid (Depakote) during pregnancy raises important safety concerns, including increased risks of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Clinical Update 2026: Z-Drugs and Pregnancy
Recent studies find no increase in the risk of major malformations with first-trimester Z-drug exposure, although small increases in risk of preterm birth and low birth weight have been reported.
Obstetric Outcomes After Exposure to Second-Generation Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medications
Exposure to long-acting injectable and oral second-generation antipsychotics during pregnancy was associated with similar obstetric outcomes in a large retrospective study.
Is It Safe to Use Hydroxyzine During Pregnancy?
Hydroxyzine is used frequently for the management of anxiety and sleep problems during pregnancy. However, there is limited information regarding its reproductive safety.
Essential Reads: No Link Between Antidepressants and Miscarriage
After accounting for potential confounding factors, including depression in the mother, there is little evidence of any association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage.
Patterns of ADHD Medication Usage During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
In women with ADHD, about 60% of women with ADHD elect to discontinue ADHD medications around the time of conception.
Yet Another Study: Antidepressants Do Not Increase Risk of Miscarriage
After accounting for maternal depression, there is little evidence of any association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs: A Systematic Review
A systematic review examines neurodevelopmental outcomes in children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs.