What is a key consideration for the medication Vortioxetine during pregnancy or postpartum?

The choice that states Vortioxetine should not be started during pregnancy, but can be continued if the patient is already stable, is important due to the considerations surrounding the use of psychiatric medications during this sensitive period.

When it comes to pregnancy and postpartum, caution is paramount in prescribing medications. Vortioxetine, like many other antidepressants, may have limited data regarding its safety and efficacy in pregnant patients, thus recommending its continuation for those who are already stable can help to avoid destabilizing the patient's mental health.

Initiating a new medication during pregnancy can carry risks, such as potential teratogenic effects or other adverse outcomes that may not be fully understood. Therefore, clinicians often prefer to avoid starting new medications during this time unless absolutely necessary. In cases where the patient has been stable on Vortioxetine prior to pregnancy, continuing the medication can provide the necessary support for the patient's mental health without introducing the risks associated with starting a new treatment.

This approach balances the need to manage mental health effectively with the objective of minimizing risks to the developing fetus. Hence, continuing an existing stable regimen makes sense in the context of evidence-based practice and patient safety.