Page 28 - JCBP-2-3

Journal of Clinical and

Basic Psychosomatics

PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Reviewing the art of safe prescription practices:

A checklist for the use of psychotropic drugs
during pregnancy

Kirk Lehman* and Emeil Aroney

Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Half of the women diagnosed with a mental health condition requiring regular
medication have previously given birth to children. A dilemma arises when deciding
whether to continue medication to treat the mother’s illness or potentially cease or
replace medication in the interests of their child. This study endeavors to examine the
challenges associated with prescribing psychotropic medications to pregnant women
experiencing mental health disorders. Its primary objective is to furnish a checklist
delineating essential considerations for prescribers in such cases. The investigation
underscores the pivotal equilibrium required in addressing the mental health of the
mother while mitigating risks to the developing fetus. The paper delves into the
nuances of decision-making within this framework, highlighting the importance
of a collaborative health-care approach coupled with personalized treatment
strategies. These strategies may encompass modifications in medication regimens
and the incorporation of non-pharmacological interventions. The prescription
of psychotropic medications to pregnant women with mental health conditions
*Corresponding author:
Kirk Lehman presents complex challenges and demands consideration. Striking a critical balance
(lehmank@outlook.com) is imperative, as it entails managing the mother’s mental health while minimizing
potential risks to the developing fetus. The decision-making process is nuanced,
Citation: Lehman K, Aroney E.
Reviewing the art of safe influenced by factors such as the teratogenic potential of specific medications, the
prescription practices: A checklist risk of neonatal withdrawal syndrome, and the potential for adverse outcomes in
for the use of psychotropic drugs maternal and fetal health if psychiatric conditions remain untreated. Pre-conception
during pregnancy. J Clin Basic
Psychosom. 2024;2(3):2978. counseling and maternal-fetal medicine services are beneficial tools in navigating
https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.2978 this balance. Predictors of the necessity for medication during pregnancy include
Received: February 20, 2024 the patient’s diagnosis, severity of prior episodes, and responsiveness to treatment.
The dynamic landscape of pharmaceutical research underscores the importance
Accepted: March 21, 2024
for prescribers to actively engage with evolving literature, ensuring the provision of
Published Online: April 3, 2024 accurate and up-to-date advice. Effective shared decision-making is of paramount
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). significance in instilling confidence and assuring the patient.
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution Keywords: Psychotropic medication; Pregnancy; Prescribing; Prescribing safely; Checklist
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited.
1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Many women who take psychotropic medication may find themselves pregnant during
regard to jurisdictional claims in 1
published maps and institutional their treatment. According to Morgan et al., half of women diagnosed with a mental
2
affiliations. health condition requiring regular medication have previously given birth to children.
Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.2978