schizophrenia and pregnancy (and breastfeeding)

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • management is as for a non-pregnant woman with schizophrenia with consideration of various provisos outlined below:
    • if a woman is taking an atypical antipsychotic consideration should be given to switching to a low-dose typical antipsychotic, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine or trifluoperazine
    • women with schizophrenia who are breastfeeding
      • women receiving depot medication should be advised that their infants may show extrapyramidal symptoms several months after administration of the depot - these are usually self-limiting.

Reference:

  1. NICE (2007). Antenatal and postnatal mental health