Psychotropic medication and pregnancy

Abstract

Since most severe psychiatric conditions tend to start in young individuals who are of childbearing age, when prescribing psychotropic medication one needs to take into consideration the difference between males and females due to the potential teratogenic effects of psychotropic medication. This needs to be taken in consideration also in females who are not planning a pregnancy because of the high number of unplanned pregnancies. In a woman who starts to suffer from mental illness during pregnancy, one should choose an established drug at the lowest effective dosage. In a woman who is taking psychotropic medication and is planning a pregnancy, the main issue is whether to discontinue treatment or change medication. For this decision, several factors, mainly the severity of the condition, and possibility of relapse, should be taken into consideration. This is also the case in a woman who is taking psychotropic medication and discovers that she is pregnant.