The following post was first published in OB/GYN News. Please see our OB/GYN News archives here. Publish date: July 3, 2017 Over the last 2 decades, there has been a growing interest in establishing a rich [...]
Many of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have uses beyond the treatment of epilepsy. Topiramate (marketed as a Topamax), in addition to its use for the treatment of epilepsy, is now being prescribed to reproductive [...]
For women with mild to moderate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, we frequently recommend discontinuing medication and switching to a non-pharmacologic intervention. Although these women might experience some decrease in their level of functioning, they typically [...]
Approximately 4% of the adult population suffers from ADHD. Attention and executive functioning difficulties also occur in those with mood and psychotic disorders and require treatment strategies similar to those used to address ADHD symptoms. First line medications most often used to treat ADHD in adults are Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) and Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Metadate).
In October, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered drug manufacturers to include warnings in the packaging inserts regarding the use of certain antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and venlafaxine (Effexor), during pregnancy. The labels now describe a spectrum of adverse events in newborns exposed to these drugs late in the third trimester, including jitteriness, irritability, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), feeding difficulties, respiratory distress, abnormal muscle tone, and constant crying. Complications requiring “prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support and tube feeding” are also mentioned.
