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Is Taking Ascoril During Pregnancy Safe?
Question: Hi, am 13 weeks pregnant and having wet cough, our family doctor prescribed me Ascoril ls 5ml 3 times daily. I took 3 days only during night after that continued for 2 days 3 times a day. I read on internet it is contraindicated during pregnancy and may have teratogenic effect. Am scared and worried. Please gimme some good advice.
Brief Answer:
STOP DRUG, LOW RISK, TAKE FOLIC ACID, GET SCAN DONE.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
The FDA classifies all drugs into 4 categories.
Ascoril - LS is pregnancy category C.
This means that the drug has shown evidence of teratogenic effects in animal studies, but there is insufficient human data.
The drug should not be used in pregnancy until and unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
However, that said, you have used it for very few days.
Also, you are already 13 weeks pregnant , and the critical period of teratogenesis ( first trimester ) is gone.
So you need not worry.
Such low dosage is hardly likely to result in any teratogenic effects.
Stop the drug immediately, and in future, before taking any medication during pregnancy, consult your obstetrician before starting the drug.
Take daily 5 mg per day folic acid immediately ( if not already started ) and continue till term.
Get a detailed genetic ultrasound scan and genetic markers done between 14 - 16 weeks to check wellbeing of the baby.
Relax, as stress can impact your pregnancy.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
STOP DRUG, LOW RISK, TAKE FOLIC ACID, GET SCAN DONE.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
The FDA classifies all drugs into 4 categories.
Ascoril - LS is pregnancy category C.
This means that the drug has shown evidence of teratogenic effects in animal studies, but there is insufficient human data.
The drug should not be used in pregnancy until and unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
However, that said, you have used it for very few days.
Also, you are already 13 weeks pregnant , and the critical period of teratogenesis ( first trimester ) is gone.
So you need not worry.
Such low dosage is hardly likely to result in any teratogenic effects.
Stop the drug immediately, and in future, before taking any medication during pregnancy, consult your obstetrician before starting the drug.
Take daily 5 mg per day folic acid immediately ( if not already started ) and continue till term.
Get a detailed genetic ultrasound scan and genetic markers done between 14 - 16 weeks to check wellbeing of the baby.
Relax, as stress can impact your pregnancy.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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