Psychotropic drugs in pregnancy and lactation.

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the literature on the use of psychotropic drugs in pregnancy and lactation.

METHOD

Medline search yielded more than five hundred titles. Articles were reviewed and ninety-one were selected for reference.

RESULTS

Fetal physiology and teratogenicity are discussed and the effects of specific drugs on the fetus and newborn are presented. When possible, recommendations for use or non-use are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Though no controlled studies have ever been done in pregnant women to truly prove their safety, it appears that most, but not all, current psychotropic drugs appear fairly safe for use in pregnancy.