Short answer: Sometimes — it’s an individual decision to make with your doctor, ideally before you conceive. ADHD medicines differ in what’s known about their use in pregnancy, and the TGA’s pregnancy categories for the medicines commonly used for ADHD range from B3 to D.1 If you’re already pregnant, don’t stop a prescribed medicine until you’ve spoken with your doctor.2
How pregnancy categories work
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) gives each medicine a category based on the available evidence about its use in pregnancy, from A through B1, B2, B3, C, D and X. The categories aren’t a simple safety ranking — the TGA notes, for example, that a B category does not imply greater safety than a C category.3 Its database isn’t intended to replace a health professional’s advice.1
For the stimulant and non-stimulant medicines commonly used to treat ADHD in Australia, the categories in the TGA database range from B3 to D. Your doctor can explain what’s known about the specific medicine you take, and the Consumer Medicine Information for every prescription medicine is available from the TGA.4
If you’re planning a pregnancy
Talk to your doctor before you stop contraception. Planning ahead gives you time to review whether to continue, change or pause medication, and to put other supports in place first.
If you find out you’re pregnant
Contact your doctor promptly, and don’t stop taking a prescription medicine until you’ve spoken with them.2 Your doctor will help you decide whether to continue, adjust or pause it.
What your doctor will consider
Every situation is different. Your doctor will consider which medicine you take and what’s known about it in pregnancy, how much ADHD affects your daily functioning and safety — for example at work or when driving — and what non-medication supports could help. Psychological strategies and practical supports, which the Australian ADHD Guideline recommends for adults with ADHD,5 can matter more during a pause in medication. See how to manage ADHD without medication.
Breastfeeding
Whether a medicine is suitable while breastfeeding is a separate question from pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting or restarting a medicine after the birth.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take ADHD medication while pregnant?
Sometimes. It’s an individual decision made with your doctor, ideally before you conceive. Don’t stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor first.
What pregnancy category are ADHD medicines?
The TGA gives each medicine a pregnancy category. For the medicines commonly used to treat ADHD in Australia, the categories range from B3 to D. The category on its own doesn’t tell you how safe a medicine is for you.
Should I stop ADHD medication if I find out I’m pregnant?
Don’t stop or change it on your own — contact your doctor promptly. They’ll help you decide whether to continue, adjust or pause it.
Can I take ADHD medication while breastfeeding?
That’s a separate question from pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting or restarting a medicine after the birth.
Next steps
Read ADHD in women and ADHD medication in Australia.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs.
References
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database. 2026. www.tga.gov.au — Lists pregnancy categories for medicines; not a substitute for a health professional’s advice.
- healthdirect (Australian Government). Medicines during pregnancy. 2025. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Do not stop taking prescription medicines until you have spoken with your doctor.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Australian categorisation system for prescribing medicines in pregnancy. 2026. www.tga.gov.au — Explains categories A, B1–B3, C, D and X; a B category does not imply greater safety than a C category.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration. Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information search. 2026. www.tga.gov.au — Official source of the Consumer Medicine Information for every registered prescription medicine.
- Australian ADHD Professionals Association. Australian ADHD Guideline — summary of recommendations. 2022. adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au — Recommends stimulants as first-line medication for adults with impairing ADHD and non-stimulants where stimulants are unsuitable; dose titration with monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, weight, sleep, mood and anxiety; cognitive-behavioural interventions, coaching and lifestyle guidance; notes anxiety, depression and substance use may follow untreated ADHD.
Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.
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