Dexamfetamine
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Therapeutic amfetamines can be used in pregnancy if attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms cannot be treated any other way.
What is it?
Therapeutic amfetamines (Amfexa®, Dexedrine®, Dexamfetamine, Elvanse®, Lisdexamfetamine) are used to treat ADHD.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking a therapeutic amfetamine in pregnancy?
Therapeutic amfetamines can help with some symptoms of ADHD. Controlling these symptoms can help a woman remain well during pregnancy and while looking after her baby.
Risks
Are there any risks associated with taking a therapeutic amfetamine during pregnancy?
Therapeutic amfetamine use in pregnancy is not known to cause birth defects in the baby. Use in later pregnancy might slow the baby’s growth in the womb by altering blood flow through the placenta.
Therapeutic amfetamines work through effects on the brain. They might, therefore, cause short-term withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby if taken in the weeks before delivery. The baby may need to be monitored after birth to check for jitteriness, difficulty sleeping, and breathing and feeding problems.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking a therapeutic amfetamine?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat ADHD, so switching to something else may be an option. People with ADHD can sometimes manage without medicines but this is not the case for everyone. If ADHD is well-controlled with a therapeutic amfetamine, it may be better to stay on it rather than stop or try something new and risk a relapse.
Ideally, a woman planning a pregnancy should speak to her GP or specialist to determine whether a therapeutic amfetamine is still the best option. Similarly, women who have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a therapeutic amfetamine should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity by their GP or specialist.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
If a woman’s ADHD causes problems with health and wellbeing, it is important that symptoms are well-controlled during pregnancy. Discontinuing ADHD medication can cause symptoms to return and stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal effects.
A medicine will only be prescribed during pregnancy if it is absolutely necessary, and a doctor or specialist will be happy to discuss the benefits and any risks.
Please do not stop a therapeutic amfetamine without speaking to your midwife, GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK should be offered a detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of their routine antenatal care. Because this scan is so thorough, extra monitoring for birth defects is not usually required following therapeutic amfetamine use in pregnancy.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken a therapeutic amfetamine?
We would not expect any increased risk to the baby if the father took a therapeutic amfetamine before or around the time you became pregnant.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.