Psychotropic Drug Use in Pregnancy
Lee S. Cohen M.D.1
1 Pregnancy Consultation Service, Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Mental Health Center. Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Based on statistical probability, psychotropic drug use by mothers who are pregnant or are nursing has little adverse consequence on the developing fetus or newborn. Even lithium, the psychotropic drug with the most clearly demonstrated teratogenic effect, is associated with relatively low fetal toxicity and malformations.
However, until better controlled studies evaluating both teratogenic effects and long-term toxic consequences of exposure to psychotropic drugs in utero or through breast milk are available, women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and nursing mothers must be individually evaluated. Psychotropic drugs should be administered only when the risk of not treating the mother outweighs the risk of harming the baby.
