For expecting mothers, managing the many physical and emotional changes that come with pregnancy can be a challenge. To make matters more complicated, many must also grapple with the question of whether or not to continue taking their prescription medications. One of the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD is Vyvanse, so many mothers-to-be may be wondering if it is safe to continue taking it during pregnancy. This blog post will explore what current research has to say about Vyvanse and its effects on pregnancy. It will review how the drug works as well as provide an overview of possible risks and side effects associated with using Vyvanse during pregnancy. Additionally, it will offer advice on how to safely manage symptoms of ADHD during pregnancy and provide resources for pregnant women who may be considering taking or continuing Vyvanse.
Can You Take Vyvanse While Pregnant?
Expectant mothers with ADHD frequently ask, and rightfully so, whether taking Vyvanse during pregnancy is safe, and if not, how ADHD should be treated during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer.
Although the FDA has not established that Vyvanse or other ADHD medications are safe to take while pregnant, they have also not established that they are harmful. According to the FDA, category C of pregnancy drugs includes ADHD medications like Vyvanse. This means that although there may be evidence showing that taking Vyvanse while pregnant is risky in animal studies, there are no reliable studies in humans to show whether the situation is safe or risky.
This means that with category C medications like Vyvanse, doctors may still suggest that pregnant women take the drug if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Doctors may decide whether a patient should continue taking Vyvanse during pregnancy based on their best judgment of what other doctors do and the results that have been documented in cases similar to the patient’s, or “best practices.” ”.
Physicians are required to inform patients, provide reasonable recommendations based on their symptoms and general health, and act in accordance with the collective judgments of other medical professionals in a similar situation. The course of treatment should balance the mother’s needs with her safety. With the help of their partners, many women may also decide whether to take Vyvanse while they are expecting.
Are ADHD Medications Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women with ADHD must decide whether to continue taking their medication or stop taking Adderall, Vyvanse, or another prescription for at least nine months. This choice could have an impact on a woman’s life for at least two years, including the lives of the mother, the child, and the rest of the family.
The lack of conclusive studies on the safety of stimulant medication use during pregnancy complicates this decision. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) states that none of the ADHD medications, including Vyvanse, Adderall, and Ritalin, are proven to be safe to use during pregnancy, but they are also not proven to be harmful. In other words, it is unethical to administer medication or a placebo to a group of pregnant or nursing women and then collect data on the babies’ outcomes.
As a result, the decision to use medication during pregnancy is frequently made in accordance with a doctor’s best practices and the specific needs and concerns of the patient. Making decisions using “best practices” entails doing so in accordance with the doctor’s best knowledge of what other doctors do, the results that have been observed when these medications have been used, and their best judgment for each patient. Each doctor must inform their patients, offer logical advice, and act in accordance with decisions reached through collaboration.
Treatment must balance the mother’s needs with any assumed safety. Additionally, many women with ADHD decide after consulting with their partner.
Ceasing Use of ADHD Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It is beneficial for a mother to inform her partner, other children, extended family, and employer about her decision to stop taking ADHD medication while pregnant and/or nursing. During pregnancy, hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and/or impulsivity symptoms may reappear and may catch some people off guard.
Explain to them that you are stopping medication because you believe it’s best for your child, and that you appreciate any help they can provide, such as bringing you some food or calling to remind you of your appointments. You might also want to think about reducing or eliminating some obligations.
FAQ
When should I stop taking Vyvanse during pregnancy?
Can I take Vyvanse when Im pregnant?
Does ADHD medication affect pregnancy?
Does Vyvanse cross the placenta?
Comments: –The active metabolite of this drug, dexamphetamine, crosses the placenta. -Premature delivery, low birth weight, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes have been seen in infants born to mothers dependent on amphetamines.