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Ask A Midwife

Q. Pat,

Do you know how the drug Adderall (stimulant) affects the fetus from conception to six weeks? My wife (26) was diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder four years ago. Her doctor perscribed Adderall to help her w/ the symptoms. Preganacy was a surprise to us (we practice birth control). She has discontinued taking Adderall, but we are concerned with what might have occured to the fetus in the first six weeks.

Thanks in advance for your help,

John

A. John: according to my resources, Adderall is a Category C drug, which means it hasn't been studied extensively, but no major problems have been seen with it. Category B and A would be totally safe. My resources don't indicate any teratogenic effects on the baby have been found. It appears things should be fine.

Check more with your health care provider. Have a nice pregnancy.

Pat Sonnenstuhl is a semi-retired nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in health care (first as an RN, then as an ARNP, CNM). She has experience with hospital nursing/midwifery and home and birth center midwifery.

Two areas of special interest to her are GBS and nutrition.

She is about empowerment, and helping folks find their own answers, what is right for them, not what is right for her. But, she wants you well informed.