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[Psychotropic drugs during pregnancy and lactation: development practice]
Céline Bascoul1, Ludivine Franchitto1, Olivier Parant2
1CHU de Toulouse, service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, équipe de psychiatrie périnatale de la maternité Paule-de-Viguier, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
This review provides updated guidance on prescribing psychotropic medications to pregnant and nursing women. It addresses risks to the fetus and newborn, aiding clinical decisions in perinatal mental health.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal medicine
- Psychopharmacology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Context:
- Pregnancy and postpartum periods present unique challenges for psychotropic medication use.
- Therapeutic decisions must balance maternal mental health with risks of fetal malformation and neonatal withdrawal.
- Evolving clinical guidelines offer sometimes contradictory recommendations.
Purpose:
- To develop an updated, user-friendly review of psychotropic medication prescribing for pregnant and nursing women.
- To consolidate current knowledge on antidepressants, anxiolytics-hypnotics, neuroleptics, mood stabilizers, and opioid dependence treatments.
- To support healthcare professionals in monitoring and prescribing these medications.
Summary:
- The review synthesizes current data on psychotropic medication use during pregnancy and lactation.
- It includes information on risk assessment for fetal development and neonatal outcomes.
- Clinical experience from a specialized perinatal medicine team informs the presented updates.
Impact:
- Facilitates informed clinical decision-making for healthcare providers managing maternal mental health.
- Aims to improve safety and efficacy of psychotropic treatments in pregnant and breastfeeding populations.
- Contributes to evidence-based practice in perinatal mental healthcare.
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