Can You Take Adderall While Pregnant? Learn the Risks and Considerations

Pregnant women have to be cautious about everything that goes into their bodies, including medications that can affect the baby and cause birth defects. Adderall, a stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may have side effects and risks for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy.

Is Adderall safe during pregnancy? Learn more about the medication risks and considerations for pregnant mothers with ADHD.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a stimulant drug that’s a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These two stimulants act on the central nervous system to affect the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain and improve the symptoms of ADHD.

In studies, Adderall was shown to improve attention and focus while reducing impulsivity. In children, stimulant medications like Adderall were shown to improve symptoms of ADHD by 75 to 80%.[1]

Adderall isn’t without side effects and risks, however, which can be more serious in pregnant women:[2]

• Sleep troubles
• Rapid heart rate
• Low appetite
• Restlessness
• Weight loss
• Coldness or numbness
• Addiction

Pregnancy Considerations with Adderall

Adderall can be effective for treating ADHD, but it’s important to consider that the drug’s effects and safety profile may change during pregnancy. Stimulants like Adderall work on the central nervous system and other parts of the body, which can increase the risk of adverse effects like heart attack, stroke, or psychosis.[3] These risks affect not only the expectant mother but also the developing baby.

While there are risks, they’re not well established. In severe cases of ADHD with symptoms that affect daily functioning, a doctor may consider continuing Adderall treatment for an expectant mother to manage her symptoms, but this decision must weigh the potential risks and benefits carefully.

Adderall Risks to a Baby

Adderall’s effects haven’t been thoroughly researched in pregnant women. There’s limited research into the effects Adderall may have on a developing baby throughout the pregnancy because of the possible harm to both mother and baby.

However, in animal tests, Adderall has been shown associated with an increased risk of congenital abnormalities of the limbs or digestive tract in developing fetuses.[4] These risks are considered low, but the drug’s safety hasn’t been established in humans. More research is needed to determine how Adderall affects the mother and baby during pregnancy.

Are There Alternative Treatments for ADHD for Pregnant Women?

If you have ADHD and take Adderall, there are alternative options to minimize the risk to the baby.

Other ADHD medications, such as Vyvanse and Ritalin, are also stimulants and may have similar risks to Adderall. Other ADHD medications haven’t been evaluated thoroughly for safety during pregnancy.

Medication-free treatments for ADHD, such as therapy, can help with ADHD symptoms during pregnancy without risks to the mother or baby. For example, relaxation techniques like meditation may help improve the symptoms of ADHD, supporting pregnant women in managing their condition.[5]

If you have symptoms that can’t be managed without medication, tricyclic antidepressants stimulate norepinephrine in the brain and can help with ADHD symptoms without unnecessary risk during pregnancy. It’s important to speak to your doctor about your options, however.

Severe ADHD can be disruptive to daily life. If your symptoms are severe enough to affect your ability to take care of yourself and may put you or your baby at risk during pregnancy, your doctor may may consider continuing Adderall with strict monitoring. In this case, the benefits of the medication may outweigh the possible risks.

Can I Take Adderall While Trying to Get Pregnant?

Adderall can have adverse effects on pregnant women, so it’s possible that the drug could affect conception as well. Animal studies have revealed that ADHD medications like Adderall can impair reproduction.[6] However, these results haven’t been duplicated in humans.

Be sure to speak to your doctor about your plans to conceive and whether it’s safe to continue taking Adderall.

Adderall Addiction During Pregnancy

Adderall can be effective for treating ADHD, but it is a potential drug of abuse with potent stimulants. In addition to prescriptions to treat ADHD, Adderall is abused as a weight loss aid, study aid, and recreational drug. All of these uses significantly increase the risk of addiction and serious side effects.

If you’re struggling with Adderall addiction and pregnant, there can be a risk to both you and the baby. However, it’s not safe to quit Adderall abruptly. Regular Adderall use, even as prescribed, can lead to dependence. Your body gets used to the presence of the drug and requires it to function properly. If you stop suddenly or reduce your dose, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

To minimize withdrawal symptoms, your dose of Adderall should be tapered over time. This “weans” you off of the drug to allow your body to adjust and minimize the symptoms of withdrawal. It’s important to taper your dose with medical supervision to minimize complications, which you can do in a medical detox program.

After detox, you can enter formal addiction treatment to help with the psychological aspects of withdrawal during pregnancy. This is important for the baby and your long-term health and well-being.

Understand the Pregnancy Considerations and Risks of Adderall

Though the risks aren’t well known, Adderall use during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the mother and baby. Make sure you speak to your doctor about Adderall, the risks, and any alternative options that can help you manage your ADHD during pregnancy.