Significant changes in antipsychotic drug use during pregnancy.
Atypical antipsychotics are less likely to cause hyperprolactinemia-related side effects, such as infertility; hence it is predicted that more women taking antipsychotic medications will be able to become pregnant as the use of atypical antipsychotics increases. To compare the use of conventional and atypical antipsychotics, we conducted a retrospective review of the Motherisk Program clinic schedule from 1989 to 2001 comparing the proportion of appointments made for conventional and atypical antipsychotics. In 1989, 2.7% of all appointments were about the use of antipsychotic medication. In 2001, 7.4% of appointments were regarding antipsychotic drug use. This 170% increase was due to an increase in appointments for atypical antipsychotics as the number of appointments for conventional antipsychotics remained relatively constant over the 12-y period. Since the introduction of atypical antipsychotics, more women requiring antipsychotic drug therapy have been planning or becoming pregnant. This increase may have substantial public health implications.
McKenna
Kate
K
Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Einarson
Adrienne
A
Levinson
Andrea
A
Gideon
Koren
K
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003376:Counseling; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000139:chemically induced; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents