Can You Take Adderall When Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a time of many changes, especially when it comes to your health and medication. If you take Adderall for ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), you might wonder, “Can you take Adderall while pregnant?”

This page explores whether you can take Adderall while pregnant and the possible side effects on you and your baby. You will also discover how to get compassionate care if you are struggling with the misuse of prescription drugs like Adderall.

Is It Safe to Continue Adderall Use During Pregnancy?

Adderall is a prescription CNS stimulant used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. [1] It contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which help regulate focus and attention. For anyone wondering can you take Adderall while pregnant, the safety of using this stimulant during pregnancy is not completely understood.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) previously classified Adderall as a Category C drug for pregnancy, meaning that risks to the fetus cannot be ruled out, but the full extent of those risks is unknown. [2] This classification suggests that the medication should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. Can you take Adderall while trying to get pregnant or while pregnant—it depends on your specific health needs.

Your doctor may advise you to stop taking Adderall during pregnancy due to these uncertainties. However, in some cases, continuing the medication might be necessary—some people with severe ADHD symptoms, for instance, might determine that the benefits of their medication outweigh the risks. 

Also, stopping the medication abruptly can trigger significant challenges like losing focus or forgetting essential tasks. This could lead to accidents, emotional distress, or professional complications, all of which could negatively impact both your health and the baby’s health.

Can you take Adderall while pregnant, and can you take a low dose of Adderall while pregnant depends on individual circumstances. Your doctor will evaluate your needs and may recommend trying alternative treatments like counseling or behavioral therapy. Lifestyle changes like gentle exercise and mindfulness may also help manage ADHD symptoms without the need for medication during pregnancy. If your ADHD symptoms are severe, continuing a low dose of Adderall while pregnant could be considered the best option.

Ultimately, can you take Adderall while pregnant is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Consult your healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks. Close monitoring throughout pregnancy helps ensure both you and your baby stay healthy.

What Are the Effects of Taking Adderall While Pregnant?

Learning as much as possible about the potential complications caused by taking Adderall while pregnant will enable you to discuss your situation easily with your healthcare provider. There are concerns about how stimulants affect the developing baby and more general risks associated with stimulant use during pregnancy.

The Effects on the Fetus

When assessing whether you can take Adderall when pregnant, the question at the forefront of a mother’s mind is how the medication might impact their baby.

Research on Adderall and pregnancy is limited, with most studies conducted on animals rather than humans. [3] Animal studies have shown that exposure to amphetamines during pregnancy can lead to birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Doses given to animals in those studies were much higher than those prescribed to humans.

That said, human studies raise similar concerns like, can you take Adderall when pregnant without risking issues like premature birth or low birth weights? Some studies have found that babies exposed to Adderall in the womb are at increased risk of these outcomes. Premature birth and low birth weight can provoke breathing difficulties, underdeveloped organs, and a greater risk of infections. Low birth weight can also cause developmental delays and long-term health problems.

Can you take Adderall when pregnant without causing withdrawal symptoms in the newborn is another issue on the minds of many mothers with ADHD considering pregnancy. Babies exposed to Adderall during pregnancy might experience symptoms like:

• Poor feeding
• Difficulty sleeping after birth
• Restlessness
• Irritability

In addition to these immediate concerns, there is the possibility of long-term effects – can you take Adderall when pregnant without affecting the child’s behavior and learning abilities? Some animal studies suggest amphetamines may impact brain development, potentially leading to issues with memory, focus, and emotional regulation later in life. While there is insufficient evidence to confirm these effects in humans, the potential risk warrants close consideration.

So, although not all studies have shown negative outcomes, the limited data available make it difficult to answer the question can you take Adderall when pregnant confidently. Healthcare providers generally exercise caution and recommend prenatal monitoring to track the baby’s growth and development if Adderall is continued during pregnancy.

Common Side Effects and Pregnancy Risks

Aside from the specific effects on the fetus, can you take Adderall when pregnant without experiencing other pregnancy-related risks?

Adderall can cause a range of side effects, and these may be heightened or pose additional risks during pregnancy. Common side effects of Adderall include nervousness, trouble sleeping, appetite loss, headaches, and increased heart rate. Some of these effects may trigger risks during pregnancy.

Common side effects include:

• Appetite loss: Loss of appetite can be risky during pregnancy, so can you take Adderall when pregnant and still get the proper nutrition? Raise this concern with your doctor and look at ways to ensure you eat enough to support the baby’s growth if Adderall impacts your appetite.
• High blood pressure: Can you take Adderall when pregnant without risking conditions like preeclampsia, then? Adderall, like all CNS stimulants, can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to preeclampsia, a dangerous condition that can trigger complications for the mother and baby. This means that women already at risk for high blood pressure need to be particularly cautious when considering Adderall use during pregnancy.

Less Common Side Effects

Like all medications, Adderall may also lead to the manifestation of less common but bothersome side effects. Although the following issues are rare, they may develop in pregnant women taking Adderall. These include:

• Sleeping problems: Other side effects like insomnia can be problematic and make expectant mothers wonder, “Can you take Adderall when pregnant and still get enough sleep.” If Adderall disrupts your sleep, speak with your doctor to help ensure you avoid fatigue or other health issues during pregnancy.
• Issues with delivery of baby: There is also an increased risk of placental abruption, a serious condition where the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. [5] This can reduce oxygen and nutrients to the baby and cause severe bleeding in the mother. Can you take Adderall when pregnant and avoid this risk? Taking stimulant medications like Adderall may increase the chances of this condition, making it a concern to discuss with your doctor.
• Dependence and addiction: A final pressing concern for many is “Can you take Adderall when pregnant without the risk of dependence or addiction.” If a pregnant woman is dependent on Adderall, suddenly stopping the medication can cause withdrawal symptoms for her and the baby. If dependence or addiction is developing, consult your doctor immediately to mitigate those risks.

Can You Take Adderall When Pregnant?

So, can you take Adderall when pregnant? The decision to continue or stop taking Adderall during pregnancy is unique to each individual.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and take Adderall, consult your doctor to discuss your options. Together, you can decide whether to continue the medication, switch to an alternative, or explore non-medication treatments. 

Get Compassionate and Evidence-Based Treatment for Adderall Addiction at California Detox

Addiction to prescription drugs like Adderall can be disruptive, especially if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant – reach out to California Detox for compassionate care at a challenging time.

We can help you withdraw from Adderall by slowly reducing your dosage under close medical supervision. After a week or so of detox, you can move into ongoing inpatient treatment at our luxury rehab by the beach.

The unique nature of all addictions and mental health issues is reflected in the personalized treatment plans we offer. Therapies may include:

• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Group therapy
• Holistic treatments
• Family therapy
• Aftercare

Begin your recovery from Adderall misuse by calling 888-995-4208 

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548702/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507858

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889854505703612

[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2014147

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482335/