It is estimated that up to 95% of women experience some type of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. While for many women the insomnia is relatively benign and may respond to simple interventions, other women experience more severe insomnia which has a significant impact on their quality of life and ability to function. Various non-benzodiazepine hypnotic [...]
Tag Archives: medication safety
Valproic Acid and the Risk of Major Malformations
June 14, 2010 – 1:41 pm
Previous studies have indicated that infants exposed to valproic acid in pregnancy are at increased risk for a range of malformations, including neural tube defects. While these studies have shown an association between valproic acid and various malformations, they have been limited in their ability to quantify the risk of certain, less common malformations. To [...]
Anticonvulsant Use in Pregnancy and Nursing: Differences in Recommendations from Psychiatrists vs. Neurologists
February 3, 2010 – 11:39 am
There are strong parallels between the clinical management of bipolar disorder and epilepsy, and women with these disorders face significant challenges while pregnant or planning to conceive. In this setting, treatment decisions must balance the risks of recurrence of severe illness with the risks of potential harm to the fetus when certain medicines are taken [...]
Use of the Emsam Patch (Selegiline) in Pregnancy
December 14, 2009 – 10:56 am
A clinician asks: “Is there any data on the use of the Emsam patch in pregnancy?” There is very little information on the reproductive safety of the MAOI-B inhibitor, selegiline, which is the active ingredient of the Emsam patch. While animal studies have failed to reveal any evidence of teratogenicity, the medical literature includes only [...]
