Drugs in pregnancy

Drugs used during pregnancy can have temporary or permanent effects on the fetus. Any drug
that acts during embryonic or fetal development to produce a permanent alteration of form or
function is known as a teratogen.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Prescribing for the pregnant woman

• 2 Period of drug use
• 3 Categories of drugs
o 3.1 Classification of a few important drugs/vaccines

• 4 References

[edit] Prescribing for the pregnant woman

Many physicians would prefer not to prescribe for pregnant women, the major concern being
over teratogenicity of the drugs. The apprehension is not necessarily data driven and is mostly
due to lack of clinical studies in pregnant women. This can result in inappropriate treatment of
pregnant women and fetus. Use of drugs in pregnancy is not always wrong. For example, high
fever is harmful for the fetus in the early months. Use of paracetamol is better than no treatment
at all. Also, diabetes mellitus during pregnancy may need intensive therapy with insulin.[1]

[edit] Period of drug use

Pregnancy and development of fetus progresses through various changes. The period of one
week from fertilisation to implantation of the fertilized egg is called preimplantation period. This
is an 'all or none' period, .i.e an insult can either cause death or complete recovery. The period
from the 8th day to the end of 8th week (2nd month) is the period of organogenesis during which
the organs are formed in the fetus. This is the most crucial time with regard to 'structural
malformations' and concern over teratogenicity of drugs. From the 3rd month week to the end of
9 months is the period of fetal maturation. Intake of drugs during this period may modify the
'function' of the fetal organs rather than causing gross structural malformations in the fetus, for
example, aminoglycosides can affect the functioning of kidneys and also the hearing mechanism.

Categories of drugs
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a rating system to provide therapeutic
guidance based on potential benefits and fetal risks. Drugs have been classified into categories A,
B, C, D and X based on this system of classification. Drugs like multivitamins that have
demonstrated no fetal risks after controlled studies in humans are classified as Category A. On
the other hand drugs like thalidomide with proven fetal risks that outweigh all benefits are
classified as Category X.

Classification of a few important drugs/vaccines

Antibacterial agents

• Category B : Penicillin, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, erythromycin

• Category C : Aminoglycosides, chlooquine, quinolones, mebendazole, fluconazole

• Category D : Tetracyclines

Cardiovascular drugs

• Category B : Heparin (LMW)

• Category C : Heparin (conventional), beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, furosemide,

digoxin, methyldopa

• Category D : ACE inhibitors, coumarins, thiazide

Central nervous system drugs

• Category B : Acetaminophen, caffeine

• Category C : Aspirin, clonidine, rofecoxib

• Category D : Carbamezapine, valproic acid, diazepam, lithium

Vaccines

• Category C : Tetanus toxoid, polio vaccine , BCG vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, hepatitis
B vaccine and rabies vaccine.