Substances
Can You Take Adderall While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed By
Written By
Last medically reviewed June 9, 2025
Substances
Medically Reviewed By
Written By
Last medically reviewed June 9, 2025
During pregnancy, women must avoid certain substances to ensure their baby’s safety. This includes limiting caffeine intake, avoiding raw seafood, and being cautious with over-the-counter and prescription medications. While Adderall does not carry a specific warning against use by pregnant women, concerns about its effects on both the current and future health of the baby remain valid. Although there is primarily anecdotal evidence suggesting risks like miscarriage and birth defects, some studies indicate a possible link between Adderall use and low birth weight.
In this blog, we will explore the effects of Adderall during pregnancy and examine any potential risks it may pose to a baby after birth.
Adderall is a stimulant medication formulated from two active chemicals: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.[1] This central nervous system stimulant has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[2][3]
As a stimulant, Adderall helps to counter deficiencies in the central nervous system that cause people with narcolepsy to drop off to sleep at inappropriate times, such as driving or walking.[4][5] It also improves symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity and difficulty concentrating.
Research has concluded that taking Adderall during pregnancy does not increase the risk of birth defects when used as directed.[6] They also found that taking Adderall before becoming pregnant doesn’t make it any harder to get pregnant. It must be noted that these studies only highlight the risks of taking Adderall as prescribed, not in abusive doses.
Miscarriage can be caused by several different factors, some within the mother-to-be’s control. While miscarriage is common, a miscarriage induced by Adderall usage is not likely if taken as prescribed.[7][6] If you have a high-risk pregnancy or are at a greater risk of miscarriage, it is best to discuss your concerns with your physician, who may alter your medication or provide you with an alternative for the time being.
Studies conclude that every pregnancy has a 3 to 5% chance of having a birth defect.[8] This is known as a background risk.[8] Studies about the use of Adderall during pregnancy, specifically the first trimester, do not show any increase in birth defect risks, even in larger studies where people were tracked throughout all three trimesters.
To keep the risk of birth defects low, it is best to take your medication as prescribed. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it, or skip it completely so you don’t double up the doses. Doubling the dose could result in a flood of stimulants in your bloodstream, which could lead to birth defects or an overdose.
Unfortunately, the data on pregnancy risks related to Adderall is limited. However, some studies reveal a higher chance of pregnancy-related problems, such as low birth weight, pre-term delivery, and poor growth.[9] Heart rate, blood pressure, or weight changes may be related to these risks, but the connections are unclear.
If you experience the following side effects when taking Adderall, contact your healthcare provider to improve the outcome of a healthy pregnancy:[10]
Serious side effects such as chills, fever, or vomiting should be reported immediately.[10]
There’s no need to stop using Adderall if you become pregnant. However, it is best to notify your physician of any changes in your health, including becoming pregnant. Should your physician see a reason for you to discontinue the use of Adderall, they will most likely taper your dose to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and switch you to another medication, although this is uncommon.
Yes, some individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping Adderall.[11] Common Adderall withdrawal symptoms include:[11]
Withdrawal is more likely in individuals who misuse prescription Adderall, have become tolerant to its effects, or struggle with Adderall addiction. This means they require more of the medication to feel its benefits.
Since Adderall manipulates reward centers in the brain, abrupt cessation can result in several unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms occur within 24 hours of taking the last dose and can persist for weeks.[11]
ADHD is a condition that requires medication for some people to function normally. This is especially true for pregnant women with the condition, who may have a more difficult time concentrating due to hormonal changes.[12] However, some women may be hesitant to take Adderall during pregnancy for fear that it could lead to low birth weight or other birth defects. Although limited studies outline these risks, it’s understandable to express concerns.
Luckily, there are several well-studied alternatives for people who are concerned about taking Adderall while pregnant, one of which is bupropion.[13]
It is unknown if men taking Adderall have an increased risk of having a baby born with birth defects or low birth weight. It is also unknown how Adderall usage affects their fertility. However, MotherToBaby states that a father’s exposure is not likely to cause adverse effects in their unborn child.[14]
If you’ve been prescribed Adderall, your doctor has determined that the benefits of using it far outweigh the risks. However, once you become pregnant, you should inform your physician. If your pregnancy is high-risk, they may swap out your prescription Adderall for a safer non-stimulant alternative.
You should avoid altering your prescribed schedule in any way. Stopping Adderall suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be life-threatening.
Yes, in some studies, Adderall use has been linked to low birth weight, although these studies are limited. It is also unknown whether Adderall itself causes the low birth weight or the side effects of Adderall, such as decreased appetite.
ADHD, also called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition characterized by poor working memory, distractibility, inattentiveness, and poor executive function. Most individuals with this condition have difficulty focusing on and completing tasks. Others have difficulty maintaining a state of relaxation and display hyperactive symptoms.
Abruptly stopping Adderall usage can result in withdrawal symptoms in the mother. However, there are no studies regarding withdrawal risks in babies after birth.
Adderall is an addictive medication when used in a way other than prescribed. When using more Adderall than prescribed, or more frequently than prescribed, users may develop a tolerance to the medication, requiring more to achieve the desired effect[15]. This can lead to physical and mental dependency, resulting in withdrawal when trying to quit.
If you or someone you know has difficulty quitting Adderall despite the risk it poses to their pregnancy, they may have a substance use disorder. For help overcoming a substance use disorder, contact Southeast Addiction Center GA for advice.
Yes, breastfeeding mothers can pass Adderall to their babies in breast milk. [9] If you have ADHD and have recently given birth, you may want to speak to your physician about a safer treatment option to avoid contaminated lactation.
[1] MedlinePlus. (2024 Jul 20) Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601234.html on 2025 May 12.
[2] National Library of Medicine. (2023 May 23) Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507808/ on 2025 May 12.
[3] National Institute of Mental Health. (2025 Jan) Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd#hts-intro on 2025 May 12.
[4] Stat Pearls. (2022 Oct 10) Anatomy, Central Nervous System. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542179/ on 2025 May 12.
[5] National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (2025 Mar 5). Narcolepsy. Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/narcolepsy on 2025 May 12.
[6] National Library of Medicine. (2023 Nov). Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine (Adderall). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603254/ on 2025 May 12.
[7] National Library of Medicine. (2022 Jun 27). Miscarriages. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30422585/ on 2025 May 12.
[8] National Library of Medicine. (2023 Nov). Critical Periods of Development. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582659/ on 2025 May 13.
[9] MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. (2023 Oct 11). Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants Exposed During Pregnancy to ADHD Medications. Retrieved from https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/infants-exposed-to-adhd-medications/ on 2025 May 13.
[10] Drugs.com. (2024 Aug 8). Adderall Side Effects. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/sfx/adderall-side-effects.html on 2025 May 12.
[11] Drugs.com. (2024 Apr 9). How Long Does Adderall Withdrawal Last? Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/long-adderall-withdrawal-3572393/ on 2025 May 13.
[12] American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (2024 Jul). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. Retrieved from https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(24)00376-4/fulltext on 2025 May 15.
[13] National Library of Medicine. (2017 Oct 2). Bupropion for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6485546/ on 2025 May 13.
[14] MotherToBaby. (2023 Dec 1). Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine (Adderall). Retrieved from https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/dextroamphetamine-amphetamine-adderall/ on 2025 May 13.
[15] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Definition of Drug Tolerance. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/drug-tolerance on 2025 May 13.