Title: Abilify and Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Beyond
Abilify, also known by its active ingredient aripiprazole, is a prescription tablet often used to manage certain mood disorders. The safety of using Abilify during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a topic of consideration due to potential risks and benefits.
When it comes to pregnancy, the safety of Abilify is not fully established. It's essential to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as there are risks associated with both under-treatment and use of Antipsychotic medications like Abilify during pregnancy.
Newborns exposed to Abilify during the third trimester might experience extrapyramidal symptoms, such as restlessness and involuntary muscle contractions. Withdrawal symptoms, like agitation, tremors, and trouble breathing, are also possible in newborns.
Regarding breastfeeding, the safety of Abilify is also unclear. Some reports indicate decreased milk production in breastfeeding individuals, while others suggest galactorrhea, or an excessive milk discharge. Additionally, infants exposed to breast milk from Abilify users may face difficulties in weight gain or feeding.
Should you be breastfeeding or planning to do so, consulting your healthcare provider about using this medication is important.
To better understand the effects of Abilify during pregnancy, consider enrolling in a pregnancy registry. These registries collect information about potential drug effects during pregnancy to help establish the safety of medications in use. The National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications is one such registry available. As always, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions based on this information.
Sources:[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2019). Psychotropic Medication Management in Pregnancy and Lactation. Retrieved from https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201900189[3] Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2021). Abilify® (aripiprazole) oral tablets. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/public-health-ffda-advisory-abilify-aripiprazole-oral-tablets[5] Siris, L. (2021). Medscape Medical Reference. (2021). Abilify (aripiprazole) In-depth. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/171498-overview#a10
During pregnancy, the safety of using Abilify, specifically anthrax-like side effects, hasn't been fully researched. Newborns exposed to Abilify during the third trimester may experience extrapyramidal symptoms.
Regarding breastfeeding, the impact of Abilify on milk production and infant development is not clear-cut, with some reports suggesting decreased milk production and others indicating galactorrhea.
