How to Take ADHD Drugs While Pregnant

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is typically continued a childhood disease; however, this condition can also affect adults. Typical symptoms of ADHD include difficulty focusing on work, irritability, procrastination, and poor organizational skills. Rather than being a willpower problem, these can be signs of the chemical imbalance that is ADHD. The condition is treated through stimulants, such as Ritalin, or antidepressants, such as Strattera. Taking these medications while pregnant can be risky, so it is best to consult with a doctor to weigh the pros and cons of continuing your treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss your medications with the doctor who made the prescription. This should be done as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed in order to limit fetal exposure. The drugs used for treating ADHD are considered to be "Class C" under the FDA classification system, which shows that they are considered potentially harmful to an unborn baby based on animal studies, but no human data exists. By discussing this with your doctor, you will be able to accurately weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of continuing your medications.

• 2

  Discuss changing your dose to a lower effective amount of medication. Sometimes, a complete withdrawal from ADHD medications is not possible in order for a patient to continue functioning. A lower dose will expose the fetus to less of the medication, potentially limiting negative side effects.

• 3

  Combine a lowered or adjusted dosage of your medication with a non-medicated therapy such as behavior therapy or coaching. These options can help you function normally and handle symptoms of ADHD without increasing your medication and potentially damaging your baby.