Psychopharmacology in pregnancy

Clinicians are confronted with challenging situations when working with women who are pregnant and have a co-existing mental illness. A risk benefit assessment is helpful when identifying possible care interventions. Psychopharmaceutical intervention is a consideration when nonpharmacological interventions are ineffective or inappropriate. Informed consent based on known and unknown risks to the mother and fetus should be obtained. Literature and case reports are contradictory and not conclusive about the risks of medications used for psychiatric illnesses. This article reviews the literature and provides clinical guidelines for antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, mood stabilizing medications, and antianxiety medications.