$Unique_ID{BRK02471}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Which Medications Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?}
$Subject{pregnant pregnancy medications child birth defects thalidomide
developing baby drug prescription malformations over-the-counter pregnancies
medication medicine medicines prescriptions defect malformation drugs babies}
$Volume{K-23,R-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Which Medications Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?


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QUESTION:  After many months of trying, I am finally pregnant, and determined
to give my baby the best possible pregnancy.  I am now worrying about the
medications I may have to take during the pregnancy, and wonder if you might
list those medicines you feel I should stay away from.  I don't want my child
to have any birth defects, if I can possibly help it.  Will you please help
me?

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ANSWER:  This has become a common concern of many mothers to be, and so I will
try to be helpful.  Ever since the publicity about thalidomide, there has been
a real and justifiable concern about the effects of any medication on the
developing baby.  Still, drug-related birth defects are rare, and it is
difficult to evaluate the exact potential of any drug for causing harm to the
baby.  The best advice still remains that during the crucial first three
months of pregnancy, when so many organs and systems are in their first stages
of growth, no medications of any kind should be taken.  And that probably
makes good sense during the last month of pregnancy when certain medications
might complicate the delivery.  However, there are times when the health of
the mother demands some prescription, for the health of the baby may also be
affected.  It is at that time that decision must be made which may break the
rule.  You may be somewhat relieved to know that there are only about 30
medications currently available in the United States which have been proven to
cause birth defects.  They range from very powerful medications used to combat
cancer to medications used for birth control, various anxiety and psychiatric
states, to certain antibiotics.  The Food and Drug Administration now places
medications into one of five categories, depending upon the current knowledge
or clinical data available.  An "X" rating indicates that the medicine should
not be used by a pregnant woman because of known cases where malformations
have occurred and where the risk of such births outweighs the potential
benefit from taking the medication.  Your physician has access to all of this
information, and should be consulted before you take any medication, and that
includes commonly taken over-the-counter preparations.

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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.