Characteristics of antipsychotic medication prescribing on inpatient obstetric floors

Excerpt

Reproductive safety data for antipsychotics remains limited (Cohen et al. 2015). Studies to date provide uncertain safety information regarding prescribing antipsychotics in pregnancy. Studies are emerging showing risk of neonatal hospitalization is increased by prenatal exposure to antipsychotics (Sutter-Dallay et al. 2015). However, studies also show untreated mental illness can adversely affect maternal and fetal outcomes (Einarson et al. 2001). A meta-analysis of antipsychotic use during pregnancy could not conclude that antipsychotics cause increased morbidity during pregnancy. However, it did show that women who take antipsychotic medication during pregnancy have higher risks for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes (Coughlin et al. 2015). There is a need to balance minimizing risks when prescribing antipsychotics with benefits to maternal and fetal outcome by treating mental illness. This population may benefit from increased guidance, management, and collaboration among treatment providers including psychiatrists and obstetricians. Therefore, it is important to examine practices relating to antipsychotic prescribing during pregnancy. Potential uses of this information include guidance for consult liaison psychiatrists, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, obstetricians, and other clinicians caring for this population. …