Can I Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

Adderall, also known as amphetamine, is a subsidiary of the dextroamphetamine class and is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

This ADHD medication interacts with the central nervous system (CNS) to repopulate dopamine supplies and comes in immediate-release format (IR) and extended-release capsules (Adderall XR).

Healthcare providers recommended that mothers avoid taking Adderall while breastfeeding, favoring other methods to treat ADHD symptoms.

If a mother must take Adderall while breastfeeding, she should do so with caution and closely monitor the infant.

Adderall abuse may lead to adverse side effects.

Is It Safe To Take Adderall While Breastfeeding?

Pharmacology studies have found that Adderall can be taken in small doses as long as supplement and dosage limitations are heeded.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed Adderall use safe while breastfeeding, Adderall can be passed through breast milk and may cause adverse effects in the nursing infant.

What Are The Effects Of Adderall On Lactation?

The effects of Adderall on lactation and the overall supply of the mother’s milk are not well-established, as lactation levels vary from woman to woman.

However, it is thought that the use of Adderall may decrease or contaminate milk production.

This is because Adderall can decrease the release of prolactin, a hormone that is necessary for milk production. If you are breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor before taking Adderall.

Transfer Of Drugs To Breast Milk

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance.

This means that it has a high potential for abuse and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Abuse of Adderall while breastfeeding can result in the infant developing side effects.

Breastfeeding mothers should be aware that Adderall may be transferred to their infants through breast milk.

The amount of Adderall that is transferred to breast milk — also called the relative infant dose (RID) — is unknown.

Change In Milk Supply And Production Levels

It is generally recommended that mothers who are breastfeeding avoid taking Adderall, as it may reduce milk supply and production levels.

In some cases, mothers who take Adderall while breastfeeding may notice a decrease in milk production within a few days, though this does not happen to everybody.

How Adderall Abuse Affects Breastfed Infants

The abuse of Adderall can have serious effects on breastfed infants.

Pediatric examinations have also found that this stimulant drug can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as other health problems.

Pregnant women who abuse Adderall also carry the risk of passing substance withdrawal-like symptoms to the infant, according to the American Family Physician Journal.

Adderall can also pass into breast milk and cause problems for the nursing baby, such as irritability, slowed growth, difficulty sleeping, and poor feeding.

How Adderall Use Affects Breastfeeding Women

A woman who takes Adderall while breastfeeding may experience a decrease in her milk supply.

Additionally, the amphetamine in Adderall can pass into breast milk and may cause irritability, poor feeding, and sleep problems in nursing infants.

Abuse of stimulant medications, including some antidepressants, can also contribute to mental health complications.

Potential risks of Adderall abuse can include psychosis, anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, and other negative side effects.

Treatment Options For Adderall Addiction

Fortunately, there are a number of addiction treatment programs and services available to treat Adderall addiction, including therapy, inpatient programs, detox, and more.

Some of the treatment options available to treat Adderall addiction include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavioral therapy (CBT)
• individual, group, and family therapy
• residential rehab
• peer support services
• 12-step meetings
• holistic, alternative, and faith-based treatment
• outpatient programs

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If you or a loved one you know is in search of substance abuse treatment, act now and give the Bedrock Recovery Center helpline a call.

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