Can a woman with AD/HD take non-stimulant medications while pregnant?

• The antihypertensives (Clonidine and Tenex) are second line treatments for AD/HD and are no longer considered a risk during pregnancy as a result of studies that have shown no significant association between exposure during pregnancy and defects or behavior changes in infants.
• The SSRI antidepressants also have been studied and have a large database on pregnancy exposure.
• After considerable monitoring, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft are considered to have no increased risk of major malformations in the infant when used within recommended dosage levels during the pregnancy. There was also no increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery noted.
• Wellbutrin does not yet have enough data, but has been labeled a Category B as a result of studies done in rabbits. A pregnancy database to monitor its safety was established in 1997 to further investigate its safety in humans and currently contains almost 400 mother-infant cases. The registry may be found at http://pregnancyregistry.gsk.com/bupropion.html

Remember,  this information should not be considered a substitute for medical advise and a pregnant women should always discuss such information with her treating physician.

Further information regarding the use of AD/HD medication may be found at the OTIS (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) website. Otis is a non-profit organization made up of individual services throughout North America dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based, clinical information to patients and health care professionals about exposures during pregnancy and lactation.