Key Findings About Medicine and Pregnancy

CDC and its partners conduct important research on the effects of medications during pregnancy. Listed below are key findings from some of these studies and a list of articles that might be of interest. This information is not comprehensive and does not include all scientific articles available on medicine and pregnancy. Click on the links to learn more about each study.

Use of the Antidepressant Venlafaxine During Early Pregnancy May Be Linked to Specific Birth Defects
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarified previous research findings on the relationship between use of antidepressants during early pregnancy and risk for specific birth defects.
(Published: August 5, 2020)

Pregnant Women Report Taking Medicines for Anxiety and Other Mental Health Conditions
Two studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that a small number of women reported taking benzodiazepines or atypical antipsychotic medicines during pregnancy.
(Published: February 3, 2020)

Use of ADHD Medicine is Increasing among Pregnant Women
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that an increasing number of pregnant women are taking attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicine.