# Don't stop your medication. Just tell your doctor.

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- Last updated: 2026-08-15
- Page title: Don't stop your medication. Just tell your doctor. | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alişan Burak Yaşar

> If you take psychiatric medication, don't stop taking it. Just tell your doctor one thing: are you planning to have a baby? Antidepressants, mood stabilize

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# Don't stop your medication. Just tell your doctor.

July 27, 2026Recent Articles

If you take psychiatric medication, don't stop taking it. Just tell your doctor one thing: are you planning to have a baby?

Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics. Whatever the medication, if you are planning to have a baby or are not using contraception, tell your doctor when it is prescribed. Even if your doctor doesn't ask.

Because this conversation often never happens. In a study of 488,175 women, the rate of contraceptive counseling was 48% among those prescribed medications considered risky during pregnancy and 51% among those prescribed safe medications. What was prescribed did not change the conversation. (Schwarz ve ark., Ann Intern Med 2007)

Timing matters, too. Among 639,994 pregnancies, prenatal care had not yet begun in 84% of those exposed to potentially harmful medications by week 6. The first prenatal visit took place at an average of 56 days. The window for decision-making opens before pregnancy is recognized.

Now for the main point. Please do not stop your medication after reading this.

In a meta-analysis covering more than 9 million births, SSRIs appeared to be associated with a 1.11-fold risk of major congenital anomalies. When the comparison was restricted to people with psychiatric diagnoses, this increase disappeared: 1.04 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.13). The difference most likely stems from the illness, not the medication.

There are risks on the other side of the scale, too. With untreated depression during pregnancy, the risk of preterm birth increases 1.56-fold and the risk of low birth weight increases 1.96-fold. This increase is not statistically significant among those taking antidepressants.

There is also a problem with perception. In a survey of 9,113 women from 18 countries, respondents rated the harm antidepressants could cause to the fetus at 7.6 out of 10. Alcohol scored 8.6 and smoking 9.2. This overestimation leads people to stop treatment they need.

Of course, medications differ. Valproate and topiramate are not first-line options for people of reproductive age. Some antiepileptic medications can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills. This is precisely why the conversation needs to happen.

At your appointment, say: I am planning to have a baby. I am not currently using contraception. This is the method I use. Could this medication cause problems during pregnancy? What should I do if I become pregnant?

If you find out you are pregnant, do not stop your medication on your own. Call your doctor first.

This post is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.

[For scientific sources → CLICK HERE](https://alisanburak.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/psikiyatrik_ilac_gebelik_plani.pdf)

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