January 16, 2025Methylphenidate and atomoxetine use do not increase a pregnant woman’s risk for miscarriage or congenital anomalies in the fetus, finds a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open.1The review included 10 studies involving 16.5 million pregnant women from 6 countries.
It is the first study to compare pregnant women with ADHD who took methylphenidate or atomoxetine with pregnant women with ADHD who did not take these medications, as well as with pregnant women who did not have ADHD or take these medications.The study, which helps to fill in the gaps of a still-evolving research landscape, has critical implications for millions of women of reproductive age.
Medications for ADHD including atomoxetine and methylphenidate are classified by the FDA as “pregnancy category C,” indicating a lack of controlled studies.
As a result, no definitive guidelines yet exist for prescribers, though recent research has demonstrated that many ADHD medications are safe for use in pregnancy.