You have two doctors, and two differing medical opinions. What you can do is write down the brand name and generic names of all the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking.
Then, you can either look the information up on the internet, send us the information and we research it for you, and/or ask your Pharmacist what the "Category of Drug Use in Pregnancy" each medication is.
For a list of categories, I wrote about them at: Are allergy medicines OK to take while pregnant?. Category A is considered safer (no studies have proven increased risk to fetus), while Category D drug has demonstrated a risk to the fetus, but the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. Category X is a drug that is not advised for use in pregnancy.
It can be argued that no drug is safe for use during pregnancy. It can also be argued that a pregnant woman with uncontrolled pain (or any medical condition) can be at greater risk for problems (unable to sleep or exercise, unhealthy eating habits, depression or depressed mood). Any time a drug is prescribed, during pregnancy or not: the potential benefits of the medication must outweigh the possible risks.
You may be receiving two different medical opinions, based on what each doctor is comfortable prescribing during pregnancy based on the drugs "Category". Many doctors will prescribe a Category A or Category B drug for use in pregnancy when the benefits outweigh possible risks. (For example, I was prescribed a Category B drug for my allergies, and none of my doctors were concerned by this).
You may have a Category C drug that I could see causing some hesitation by one doctor, and not another.
Are there any alternative medications that would be beneficial to you, and in a safer Category?
You can click on the medication to view more information about your specific pain prescriptions, and their possible teratogenic effects (birth defects) : http://www.otispregnancy.org/otis-fact-sheets-s13037#1
If you do not see your prescriptions listed at the above website, you can call (for free) a Teratology Information Specialist at: 1-866-626-6847. I would also follow-up with your Pharmacist, as well as both doctors with your knowledge of the Category of Drugs in Pregnancy.
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I'm so happy to help.
You have two doctors, and two differing medical opinions. What you can do is write down the brand name and generic names of all the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking.
Then, you can either look the information up on the internet, send us the information and we research it for you, and/or ask your Pharmacist what the "Category of Drug Use in Pregnancy" each medication is.
For a list of categories, I wrote about them at: Are allergy medicines OK to take while pregnant?. Category A is considered safer (no studies have proven increased risk to fetus), while Category D drug has demonstrated a risk to the fetus, but the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk. Category X is a drug that is not advised for use in pregnancy.
It can be argued that no drug is safe for use during pregnancy. It can also be argued that a pregnant woman with uncontrolled pain (or any medical condition) can be at greater risk for problems (unable to sleep or exercise, unhealthy eating habits, depression or depressed mood). Any time a drug is prescribed, during pregnancy or not: the potential benefits of the medication must outweigh the possible risks.
You may be receiving two different medical opinions, based on what each doctor is comfortable prescribing during pregnancy based on the drugs "Category". Many doctors will prescribe a Category A or Category B drug for use in pregnancy when the benefits outweigh possible risks. (For example, I was prescribed a Category B drug for my allergies, and none of my doctors were concerned by this).
You may have a Category C drug that I could see causing some hesitation by one doctor, and not another.
Are there any alternative medications that would be beneficial to you, and in a safer Category?
You can click on the medication to view more information about your specific pain prescriptions, and their possible teratogenic effects (birth defects) : http://www.otispregnancy.org/otis-fact-sheets-s13037#1
If you do not see your prescriptions listed at the above website, you can call (for free) a Teratology Information Specialist at: 1-866-626-6847. I would also follow-up with your Pharmacist, as well as both doctors with your knowledge of the Category of Drugs in Pregnancy.
Let us know how else we can help!
August 15, 2010 - 8:28pmThis Comment
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