Inevitably during the precious 40 weeks that is pregnancy, a mom-to-be will get sick. Perhaps it’s a head cold from changing weather or maybe a stomach virus her toddler brought home from preschool. Or maybe it’s a long-term health condition that typically requires medication.
It doesn’t really matter what type of sickness a pregnant mom has, but rather how quickly she can bounce back and get back to doing all the things she normally does. But what medications can she take to help shorten a cold or flu or even just help her muddle through the symptoms of a specific health condition?
Are there any medications that are safe for pregnant women and their fetus? Are there some to avoid at all costs? Read on!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has suggested talking to a medical professional before taking any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, as well as dietary, herbal and vitamin supplements.
The CDC said that the United States does not have enough information about the effects of many medicines on pregnant women because it is customary to exclude pregnant women in drug test trials due to potential harm to the fetus. Pregnant animals are sometimes used in testing but that doesn’t always give accurate results as it relates back to women.
There are some medications though which pregnant women should not take at any cost. The drugs thalidomide (also known as Thalomid) a chemotherapy medicine, and isotretinoin (also known as Accutane), an acne medicine, are two such examples. Both can cause extreme birth defects and have life-threatening results with as little as one dose.
For most medicines, however, the effects aren’t as clear-cut. The CDC said the effects medicines have a on pregnant women depend on a variety of factors including:
• The amount of medication taken
• The period during the pregnancy in which the medication was taken
• Other health conditions a mom-to-be might have
• Other medications a mom-to-be takes
While it is true that some medication can harm a pregnant mother or her unborn baby, there are other medications that are considered safe. A mom-to-be should continue to take medication for long-term health conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure and depression.
If these conditions are left untreated, it would harm the fetus and mother even more than any of the medications would. Pregnant women should work with a medical professional to balance the risks and rewards of all the medicines they are currently taking.
While no medicines can claim to be 100 percent safe for pregnant women, there are over-the-counter drugs which have relatively low risks. Babycenter.com has a chart listing the illness or problem and the drugs that are relatively safe to take to help alleviate them during pregnancy.
They do urge moms-to-be to try not to take any medication during the first trimester as this is when the developing baby is most vulnerable. They also recommend talking to a medical professional when there is any question or concern when taking a new medicine.
Sources:
DiabloValleyOncology.md. Web. 4 January 2012. "Thalamid-Thalidomide". http://www.diablovalleyoncology.md/thalamid-thalidomide
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 4 January 2012. "Medications and Pregnancy". http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/meds/index.html
Drugs.com. Web. 4 January 2012. "Accutane". http://www.drugs.com/accutane.html
Babycenter.com. Web. 4 January 2012. "Over-the-counter medications during pregnancy".
http://www.babycenter.com/0_chart-over-the-counter-medications-during-pregnancy_1486462.bc
Reviewed January 4, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith