Use of psychoactive medication during pregnancy and possible effects on the fetus and newborn

Psychoactive drugs are those psychotherapeutic drugs used to modify emotion s and behavior in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. This statement wi ll limit its scope to drug selection guidelines for those psychoactive agen ts used during pregnancy for prevention or treatment of the following commo n psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The statement assumes t hat pharmacologic therapy is needed to manage the psychiatric disorder. Thi s decision requires thoughtful psychiatric and obstetric advice.