Vyvanse During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
While Vyvanse is prescribed to adults who suffer from ADHD, it may not always be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women to use this medication. The FDA has given a pregnancy Category C rating to this medication because of the fact that no studies have been done that involved pregnant women. Some evidence has suggested that women who make use of amphetamines while pregnant may bear children who develop behavioral problems later in life.
Pregnant women should only use Vyvanse during pregnancy if the benefits to the mother clearly outweigh any risks to the fetus. Infants who are born to mothers taking any sort of amphetamines are at an increased risk of developing withdrawal symptoms as well as low birth weight.
What Does FDA Pregnancy Category C Mean?
The FDA assigns pregnancy categories to medications according to how safe the medication is to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vyvanse is rated as a pregnancy Category C medication.
This means that studies involving animal reproduction have shown that the medication has caused adverse effects on the (animal) fetus and that no clinical trials or adequately controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. On the other hand, there may be enough potential benefits to warrant prescribing the medication to a pregnant woman under certain circumstances. In a case like this, the doctor will ensure that the benefits outweigh the potential risks of prescribing the medication.
Should Vyvanse be used during Pregnancy?
Studies have shown that amphetamines have the ability to cause various birth defects when taken by pregnant women. These drugs may also result in premature births as well as low birth weights. Babies born to mothers who have used any form of amphetamines may also suffer from toxic effects or even withdrawal symptoms to the amphetamine after being born. Because of the fact that insufficient studies have been done on pregnant women, it is not normally recommended to use Vyvanse during pregnancy. However, if a doctor decides that the benefits of using the medication will outweigh the risks in a particular patient, it may still be prescribed to them.
Vyvanse and Breastfeeding
Vyvanse, like all amphetamines, passes into breast milk and can pose serious problems for infants. New mothers taking Vyvanse should not breastfeed their babies.
Women who are considering breastfeeding or who are already breastfeeding should consult with their doctor before using any amphetamine drugs so that informed decisions can be made regarding potential side effects on the baby. Infants who absorb these drugs through breast milk may experience side effects such as irritability and disturbed sleeping patterns. Because no studies have been done on the effects of Vyvanse on infants, it is important for mothers who use this medication to carefully monitor their babies for side effects. In most cases, it is not recommended for mothers to use Vyvanse during pregnancy.
Because each patient is different, it is important to discuss any concerns that they may have with their doctor before using this medication. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should ensure that they monitor their condition carefully and report any changes or side effects to their doctor immediately. This will assist the doctor in making a decision to either continue prescribing the drug to the patient or to explore other options which may be more suitable for the patient.
