Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that pregnant people who took ADHD medications while also being treated for opioid use disorder continued to take medication to address their opioid use disorder about two months longer than patients who stopped taking ADHD medications. These patients also required fewer emergency room visits related to substance use disorder.
Opioid overdoses among pregnant individuals in the United States are at an unprecedented high, despite overall numbers improving. This alarming trend is particularly significant given the strong correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders. However, there are currently no established treatment protocols to address the concurrent management of opioid use disorders and ADHD in expecting parents.
Recent research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis may help bridge this gap. A study published in Nature Mental Health by Dr. Kevin Xu, Dr. Tiffani Berkel, and co-author, Jeannie Kelly, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, reveals that pregnant patients with both opioid use disorders and ADHD who continue their ADHD medications are far more likely to adhere to their opioid treatment plans and significantly less likely to overdose compared to those who discontinue ADHD medication. Analysis of data from prescription and Medicaid databases showed that patients on buprenorphine who maintained their ADHD medication stayed on treatment about two months longer and had fewer emergency room visits related to opioid use. This research is a crucial step towards developing comprehensive treatment guidelines that ensure the safety and health of pregnant women and their babies, addressing both ADHD and substance use disorders effectively.