$Unique_ID{BRK01025}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medications Which are Dangerous to Take During Pregnancy}
$Subject{pregnancies medication hazards Pregnancy Childbirth analgesics
antibiotics antihistamines sedatives antianxiety agents antidepressives
cortisone laxatives douches medications hazard analgesic antibiotic sedative
antidepressive laxative douche}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Medications Which are Dangerous to Take During Pregnancy


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QUESTION:  My daughter is now carrying my first grandchild, and I want
everything to be just perfect.  However I think she is taking pills that might
be dangerous for the baby.  I should like you to publish a list of medications
which are dangerous to take during pregnancy.  I think you have many other
readers who would be grateful to you for this information.

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ANSWER:  Your question has much merit, and as I considered the answer and
began to do my research, I was astonished at both the need for this type of
information as well as the number of medications that would have to be listed.
In consulting my most recent edition of the United States Pharmacopeial
Convention publication, "Advice for the Patient", I discovered five full pages
of fine print, listing hundreds of therapeutic preparations that require a
long second look.  As stated in the preface to this section, "The use of any
medicine during pregnancy must be carefully considered.  The physician and the
patient must balance the expected benefits against the possible risks."  To my
thinking, that means any preparation, liquid or in capsule form, injected or
by intravenous administration, eye drops and skin creams, or in fact by any
route of administration must be considered in the light of the possible risks
to the unborn.  Each medication should be carefully researched, using the
publications of the US Pharmacopeia Convention, "The Physician's Desk
Reference" or package inserts provided with the medications.  No type of
medication is exempt.  My list, which unfortunately is much too long to
reproduce here, includes analgesics, antibiotics, antihistamines, sedatives,
antianxiety agents, antidepressives, cortisone-like medications, laxatives and
douches.  No form of medication is excluded, and all the body's systems are
included.  Products used in some forms of radiological imaging as well as
castor oil and caffeine are also listed.  During this most important period of
your daughter's life, all things must be suspect, and that will continue into
the breast feeding period as well, where the list is almost as long.  It may
not be unwise to visit your local library to review this publication and the
listings which appear in Appendix IV and V.  Perhaps your physician may have a
copy to lend you.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.