25/11/2016
Safe and Harmful Drugs in Pregnancy:
Listed below are some safe drugs and some harmful drugs in pregnancy. Since it is not a complete list, patients are advised to check the drug label of each drug before taking them during pregnancy.
Drugs Considered Safe in Pregnancy:
Some antibiotics namely Amoxycillin, Ampicillin, Cephalosporins, Erythromycin (not estolate)
Levothyroxine
Acetaminophen
(Note: Prenatal exposure of acetaminophen during 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy may increase the risk of hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.)
Folic Acid and Vitamin B6
Methyl dopa, and hydralazine
Insulin.
Heparin.
Drugs Contraindicated in Pregnancy: Some drugs in category X that are contraindicated in pregnancy and their effects on the fetus are listed below:
Vitamin A and its derivatives - Accutane(Isotretinoin), Acitretin, Etretinate - Birth defects, miscarriage.
Thalidomide - Seal like limbs and other defects.
Diethylstilbestrol - Causes cancer of the va**na or cervix in female children during their teenage years.
Warfarin - Causes multiple birth defects
Danazol - Causes malformations in s*x organs of female fetus.
Simvastatin and other statins - Cholesterol is needed for fetal growth and its reduction by statins could harm the fetus.
Finasteride - Though finasteride is normally not prescribed to women, pregnant women should not handle broken or crushed tablets since it can get absorbed through the skin and affect the s*x organ development of the male fetus.
Testosterone - Can cause birth defects.
Oral contraceptives- Can cause birth defects.
Dutasteride - Affects the s*x organ development of the male fetus.
Methotrexate - Causes cleft palate along with multiple defects.
Some known side effects of drugs during pregnancy are listed below.
Tetracyclines - Get deposited in fetal bones and re**rd their growth, also affect teeth causing them to be discolored and deformed.
Chloramphenicol - Gray baby syndrome.
Isoniazid - Neuropthy and seizures in fetus, liver damage in mother.
Sodium Valproate - Defects of the nervous system.
ACE inhibitors - Growth re**rdation, birth defects, fetal death.
Lithium - Affects fetal thyroid, heart beside causing other abnormalities.
Phenytoin - Cleft lip/ palate along with other deformities.
Anti convulsants - Trimethadione, Valproic acid, Carbamazepine - Multiple birth defects.
Androgens - Multiple defects.
During the last 3 months of pregnancy, drugs crossing the placental barrier may interfere with the vital functions of the fetus E.g.:
Morphine - If the mother is given morphine during labor, fetal asphyxia can occur.
Anti-coagulants - May cause fatal bleeding in the newborn.
Radioactive iodine therapy - A cretin may be born due to radioactive iodine therapy.
Anti thyroid drugs - may produce goiter, which can lead to face presentation.
Sulfonamides - may increase bilirubin levels leading to kernicterus.
