 While we use lithium less commonly now than we have in the past, lithium is still one of the very best mood stabilizers we have.  And with regard to its reproductive safety, we have [...]
 Last week in clinical rounds we discussed a case of a woman with bipolar disorder who was planning a pregnancy.  She had a long history of illness, experiencing primarily depressive episodes since her early [...]
Numerous studies have demonstrated that women with histories of bipolar disorder are at high risk for postpartum illness. Â Because of this increased risk for relapse during the postpartum period, we typically recommend that women with [...]
When we meet women for consultations regarding the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy, we focus primarily on the impact of medications on the developing fetus and the pregnancy. Â However, we need also to address [...]
There is an interesting article this week which looks at the long-term impact of prenatal depression on the developing fetus. Â Following children for 25 years, Plant and colleagues observed that the children exposed to maternal [...]
Ms. C is a woman with a long history of bipolar disorder, dating back to her teen years. Â Because she experienced recurrent hypomania and mania every time she attempted to discontinue her treatment, she and [...]
Women with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for relapse during pregnancy and that the risk is even higher during the postpartum period. Â In addition, women with bipolar disorder are more vulnerable to postpartum [...]
Multiple studies have demonstrated that the postpartum period is a time of increased vulnerability in women with bipolar disorder. Â However, because many of the commonly used mood stabilizers carry some teratogenic risk, many women elect [...]
For many women with bipolar disorder, lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an effective mood stabilizer. Given its relatively favorable reproductive safety profile, lamotrigine is a reasonable option for women who require treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy.
Choosing whether to maintain or discontinue mood stabilizer treatment during pregnancy requires weighing the risks of teratogenic outcomes associated with exposure to a particular drug against the risks of recurrence of untreated affective illness. Â Â However, [...]
