Medication during Pregnancy
- There are a number of occasions during pregnancy that you might have to take medicines.
You are aware of Iron and Folic acid supplements in Pregnancy which are essential and tetanus vaccine is administered compulsorily in countries like India, because of poor methods of delivery.
Do ask your doctor about the medications you are taking before you have become pregnant, how it affects the fetus during pregnancy. During the first trimester, drugs may produce congenital malformations (teratogenesis); the greatest risk is between the third and the eleventh week of pregnancy. All drugs should be avoided, if possible, during the first trimester. Drugs are prescribed for a pregnant woman only if the expected benefits to her are thought to be greater than the risk to the fetus.
He/she can be a bit stubborn and demanding, and may start crying when things don't go his/her way. Don't lose your cool or try reasoning with him/her, your baby is still too young to understand. Be patient and comfort him/her, this phase will pass even before you realize it.
- If you have to take a medication while you are pregnant, always confirm that it is safe by speaking to your doctor about it. The questions you can ask are:
- Colds are Acute URTI [upper respiratory tract infections] caused by a group of viruses.
- They are transmitted by air when an infected person coughs/sneezes or by hand contact.
- Signs are cough, running nose, red eyes, discomfort [baby is irritable] and decreased appetite.
- They are most often self limiting- that is they are cured with no need for major medications.
- Steam inhalation and hot packs can help provide relief.
- If your baby has high fever/bad cough/greenish mucus/wheeze/ breathing difficulty / feeding poorly see your pediatrician immediately.
The common drugs that are to be avoided in pregnancy are listed here, and it doesn't mean that the drugs not listed here are safe. Be very cautious while using multiple medicines.
| Name of Drug (Brand names) | Use | Why it should be avoided |
| Isotretinoin ( Isotroin, Octoret) | Acne vulgaris | Fetal abnormalities |
| Alprazolam (Restyl, Trika, Anxit) | Sedative | Not used for fetal safety |
| Coumadin , Warfarin ( Sofarin, Warf) | Blood thinners | Fetal abnormalities |
| Chloramphenicol (Achloral, Actimycetin) | Antibiotic used rarely orally, eye and ear drops are common | It should not be used orally in third trimester because of Grey baby syndrome. |
| Statins (Atocor, Liptor)nbsp; | Cholesterol lowering agents | Liver abnormalities |
| Anti hypertensive's like ACE inhibitors, Losartans | To lower blood pressure | Fetal risk, Beta blockers like ATEN is avoided in second and third trimesters of Pregnancy. |
| Antiepileptic (Valium, Epsolin, Tegretol) | Seizure disorders | They are used cautiously though out pregnancy; only a slight human risk has been found. |
| Radioactive Iodine( I 131) | Used in hyperthyroidism | It is considered to be most unsafe to the fetus of the entire anti thyroid medications. |
| Leuprolide (GnRH agonists like Progtase) | Ovulation induction | Dangerous to the fetus. |
| Oral hypoglycemic like Metformin( Diamet, glynase) | Used for diabetics | Cause the fetal hypoglycemia also |
| Proton pump inhibitors( Omez, Pantocid ) | Used for heart burn | Generally Not advised during pregnancy |
| Oral contraceptives and estrogen supplements | Various medical conditions | It may cause termination of the pregnancy |
| Anti-inflammatory agents (Diclomol, Brufen, Nise) | Pain killers | Avoid in third trimester however paracetamol is safe all throughout. |
Related Links :
During Pregnancy
Common Queries in Pregnancy
- Introduction to Pregnancy
- Abortin & Related Precautions
- Are you Planning to get Pregnant?
- Precautions at Labour
- Cesarean Section & Precautions
- Common Problems during Pregnancy
- Common Worries during Pregnancy
- Complications during Pregnancy
- Common Information for Men
- Confirming your Pregnancy
- Excercise during your Pregnancy