Safety of Psychotropic Medications During Pregnancy

Clin Perinatol. 2019 Jun;46(2):215-234. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2019.02.004. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Abstract

Risks, benefits, alternatives, and appropriateness of psychotropic medications, including risks of no treatment, are discussed for antidepressants, mood-stabilizing medications, anxiolytic/sedative hypnotic medications, stimulants, and medication-assisted treatment of substance use disorders. Early screening, diagnosis, and intervention prior to and/or during pregnancy often reduce morbidity and mortality of mental health disorders for mothers and infants.

Keywords: Perinatal addiction; Perinatal reproductive psychiatry; Pregnancy; Psychopharmacology; Women’s mental health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antimanic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders
  • Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / epidemiology*
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antimanic Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Psychotropic Drugs