"Can pregnant women take modafinil, which the FDA may soon approve for treatment of AD/HD?"
by
Larry Silver, M.D.
Like most AD/HD meds, modafinil is categorized by the FDA as a "Class C" medication. This means that there are no data clearly showing that the medication might cause harm to the fetus and no data showing that it is safe to use.
As opposed to "Class A" (absolutely causes problems) or "Class B" (evidence suggests problems), there is no clear-cut answer. Some obstetricians advise patients not to use any "Class C" medications; some explain possible consequences, but believe it's OK. This is an individual decision you must make based on a conversation with your obstetrician.