Introduction
Pregnancy is a crucial period in a woman's life, necessitating extra care to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the developing baby. During this time, it is essential to be cautious about the medications one takes, as certain drugs can pose potential risks to maternal and fetal health. While some medicines are known to be safe during pregnancy, others are associated with adverse effects that can impact the baby's growth and development. This article aims to shed light on drugs that should be avoided during pregnancy to safeguard the health of both mother and fetus.
Understanding the Risks
Numerous medications have been linked to potential risks during pregnancy, including increased chances of birth defects, developmental delays, or other adverse outcomes. It is crucial to be aware of which medications fall into this category and avoid them during pregnancy. These drugs may disrupt normal fetal development, interfere with vital organ formation, or cause other complications that can have long-term effects.
Common Drugs to Avoid:
1)Antibiotics Drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and norfloxacin)
- Nitrofurantoin
- Streptomycin
- Sulfonamides (such as sulfasalazine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)
- Tetracycline
Abnormalities Caused By These Drugs: Possibility of bone and joint abnormalities (seen only in animals).
2) Anticonvulsants Drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Carbamazepine
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Valproate
Abnormalities Caused By These Drugs
- Bleeding problems in the newborn. This Problem Can be prevented by Taking Vitamin K Orally 30 Days Before Delivery
- Cause Risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects (such as spina bifida)
- Valproate Cause Some (1%) risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects (such as a meningomyelocele), cleft palate, and defects of face, the heart, skull, limbs, and spine
3) Antihypertensives Drugs to avoid during pregnancy
a)Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Captopril
- Benazepril
- Fosinopril
- Enalapril
- Lisinopril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Trandolapril
- Perindopril
Abnormalities Caused By These Drugs: Serious Injury To The Fetus, May Cause Kidney Damage In The Fetus, Reduce Amniotic Fluid, Also Cause Defects Of Lungs, Face And Limbs
b)Calcium Channel Blockers
- Isradipine
- Nisoldipine
- Amlodipine
- Verapamil
- Nifedipine (sustained-release only)
- Diltiazem(sustained-release only)
- Nicardipine
- Felodipine
Abnormalities Caused By CCB:
- Fluid retention in the ankles, Dizziness, headache, flushing, heartburn, an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) And enlarged gums.
- Verapamil also caused Constipation.
c)Beta Blockers drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Atenolol
- Bisoprolol
- Metoprolol
- Acebutolol
- Nadolol
- Penbutolol
- Propranolol
- Betaxolol
- Carteolol
- Timolol
- Nebivolol
- Pindolol
Problems Caused By Beta Blockers: Beta Blockers Caused Slow Growth Rate In The Fetus And Also Cause Low Level Of Blood Sugar And Low Heart Rate.
d)Thiazide Diuretics drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Chlorothiazide
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Hydroflumethiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Methyclothiazide
- Metolazone
- Indapamide
Problems Caused By Diuretics: Taking Thiazide Diuretics During Pregnancy Will Cause Decrease In The Level Of oxygen, Potassium Sodium. Also, Decrease In Number Of Platelets In The Fetus. Inadequate Growth Before Birth.
4) Antianxiety drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Diazepam
Abnormalities Caused By Diazepam: When This Drug Is Taken In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy It causes irritability, exaggerated reflexes in the newborn depression, and shaking.
5) Mood-stabilizing drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Lithium
Abnormalities: Poor feeding, Lethargy, reduced muscle tone, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in the newborn And underactivity of the thyroid gland.
6) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin and other salicylates, etc...
Problems Or Abnormalities: When the medication is taken in large doses, probably miscarriages during the first trimester, a delay within the begin of labor, premature closing of the connection between the aorta and artery to the lungs (ductus arteriosus), jaundice, necrotizing enterocolitis (damage to the liner of the intestine), and (occasionally) brain injury within the foetus and bleeding issues within the woman throughout and after delivery and/or within the newborn. When the medication is taken late in pregnancy, a discount in the amount of fluid around the developing fetus.
7)Sex Hormones
- Synthetic progestins
- Danazol
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Problems Or Abnormalities:
- Synthetic progestins: (but not the low doses used in oral contraceptives)
- Danazol: When Synthetic Progestin And Danazol are taken In The early stages Of pregnancy, masculinization of a female fetus’s genitals, sometimes requiring surgery for correction)
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES): Abnormalities of the penis in sons. Abnormalities of the uterus, an increased risk of vaginal cancer, menstrual problems, and complications during pregnancy in daughters
8)Vaccines
- Vaccines for polio,
- Measles,
- Mumps or
- Yellow fever
Problems Or Abnormalities:
- This Vaccine causes Potential infection of the placenta and developing a fetus.
- Vaccine for chickenpox (varicella) and rubella.
9)Drugs Used In Skin Treatment
- Isotretinoin
- Etretinate
Problems Or Abnormalities: Both Of these Drugs Cause Birth defects, such as small ears, heart defects, and hydrocephalus. While Isotretinoin Also Cause Intellectual disability And Risk of miscarriage.
10) Oral ant diabetic drugs to avoid during pregnancy
- Metformin
- Glyburide
- Tolbutamide
- Chlorpropamide
Problems/Abnormalities Caused By These Drugs: Inadequate control of diabetes in the pregnant woman when a Pregnant woman with type 2 diabetes Take The Drugs, the possibility of increased risk of miscarriage Is More. Also, Cause a very low blood sugar level in the newborn.
11) Warfarin
This blood-thinning medication can cause severe birth defects and should be substituted with alternative therapies during pregnancy.
Consulting Healthcare Providers
Any decision regarding medication use during pregnancy should be made in consultation with healthcare providers, including obstetricians and pharmacists. These professionals can assess individual circumstances, considering factors such as the severity of the health condition and potential risks versus benefits of medication use.
Alternative Approaches
In some cases, alternative treatments or non-pharmaceutical interventions may be considered to manage health conditions during pregnancy. Lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, or alternative therapies may offer safer alternatives to traditional pharmacological interventions.
Read also:
- Medications or Drugs: Contraindications and Precautions during Pregnancy
- COVID Vaccines and Boosters Shown to Protect Pregnant Women and Newborns: Transferred Protection
During pregnancy, the well-being of both the mother and the developing baby is of utmost importance. Avoiding certain drugs known to pose potential risks is essential to safeguard maternal and fetal health. It is crucial to have open and honest discussions with healthcare providers regarding medication use, exploring safer alternatives when needed. By taking proactive measures, seeking professional guidance, and making informed decisions, expectant mothers can ensure the best outcomes for themselves and their precious babies.
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