ClozarilÕs FDA Label reports a 40% chance of a 20% reduction of symptoms.
The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to the best practice in preparing for managing a pregnancy and finding the path to the delivery of a healthy baby while managing mental illness in a pregnant woman.
The best practice is the lowest effective dose of medications.
Psychiatric medications are indicated if the pregnant woman is severely mentally ill and the health of the mother are at greater risk without medications than with medications.
If the mother is suicidal, not eating, not taking care of her health and safety, then psychiatric medications provide a benefit greater than the risk.
If the pregnant woman does not require psychiatric hospital admission due to danger to self, danger to others, or grave disability, the decision to prescribe psychotropic medications is complex.
The Number Needed to Treat, NNT, needs to be considered.
Most psychiatric medications must be prescribed to three to five patients for one patient to improve.
That means that two out of three to four out of five pregnant women are taking that medication without benefit.
The FDA approves psychiatric medications with only a 20% reduction of symptoms. Psychiatric medications are not cures for mental illness.
That means that the pregnant woman must still manage up to 80% of her symptoms while taking medications.
That benefit must be considered in the context of the adverse effects the medications may have on the fetus. That is the benefit risk analysis the pregnant woman faces before deciding to accept or reject medications.
This book is a review of the medical literature that provides information necessary to make an informed choice.
May you live long and well.
I am here to do no harm, and to help if I can
Thank you for your time and attention.
William R. Yee M.D., J.D.