Psychotropics in pregnancy: weighing the risks.
With increase in the use of newer psychotropics, there is a growing concern in relation to the teratogenicity. Unfortunately, it is not possible to carry out prospective studies in pregnant women and as a result physicians caring for such patients have to rely on case reports, case series, and retrospective studies. Available evidence shows that the safety of psychotropics in pregnancy is still unresolved and the decision to prescribe psychotropics in pregnancy should be taken in the light of severity of mental disease, and drugs should be prescribed only when the potential risk to the foetus from exposure is outweighed by the risk of untreated maternal disorder. In this review we discussed the current evidence of the teratogenic risks with psychotropic drugs commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders and also focused on decision making in such patients.
Grover
Sandeep
S
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
Avasthi
Ajit
A
Sharma
Yogesh
Y
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008094:Lithium