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Medicine has come a long way, but, even for healthy women, being pregnant is unique when it comes to health risks. A number of biological changes occur in a woman's body as a fetus develops, and the introduction of any chemicals via medications can put the life of an unborn child at risk. Indeed, some medications can really be dangerous if taken during pregnancy, and can lead to all sorts of health issues, including miscarriages, birth defects, premature births, and stillbirths.
In this gallery, you'll learn about all the medications you should avoid during pregnancy. Click on and find out if you're taking any of these.
Both angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are often prescribed to patients who suffer from hypertension. Examples of ACE inhibitors include benazepril, lisinopril, and captopril. As for ARBs, valsartan, losartan, and telmisartan are often prescribed.
Women who suffer from high blood pressure and take these meds should seek medical advice if they get pregnant. This is because these meds can affect the fetus’ kidneys. This is particularly true during the second and third trimesters.
There are alternative medications such as labetalol, methyldopa, nifedipine, or hydrochlorothiazide, which your doctor may prescribe in such cases. Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia can also develop during pregnancy, in which case your doctor should be able to prescribe the right meds to treat the condition.
You may have heard about this drug and how it has been used to induce abortions. Methotrexate is, however, also used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Methotrexate inhibits the synthesis of DNA, and as such doesn’t allow for cells to divide. This is good news for cancer cells, for example, but not so much for women looking to become pregnant, and indeed those who already are.
Not only can methotrexate lead to birth defects such as cleft palate, spina bifida, and bone abnormalities, but it can actually be fatal. Women who are taking this drug as part of cancer treatment, or had it prescribed for any other reason, should talk to their doctor as soon as possible. Men should also be off of the drug for at least three months before trying for a baby.
This drug, also sold under the brand name Accutane, is used to treat serious cases of acne. And while it does a great job reducing skin oil production, it can be harmful when taken during pregnancy.
Not only can isotretinoin cause miscarriages and premature births, but it can also lead to birth defects such as cleft palate, congenital heart defects, small head, eyes, and ears, as well as parathyroid dysfunction and physical and intellectual disabilities. Women should not take the drug if they are, or intend to get, pregnant.
Often used in the management of blood clots and as a preventative measure for strokes, warfarin is a popular choice when it comes to anticoagulants (aka blood thinners).
Pregnant women are more at risk of developing blood clots, especially if they suffer from other underlying health conditions. However, warfarin may not be the best solution, as the drug can easily cross the placenta. If this happens, it can affect the development of bones and cartilage.
The risk increases if the medication is taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, as it can also lead to stillbirths, abortions, and nervous system abnormalities, among others. Due to the risks, heparin is sometimes prescribed as an alternative to warfarin.
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), or lorazepam (Ativan) are often prescribed to treat a number of conditions and symptoms, including anxiety, seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. These drugs are also highly addictive.
These nervous system depressants can easily cross the placenta and lead to a number of problems, including preterm birth, cleft lip and palate, low birth weight, and breathing problems.
Anticonvulsants are often prescribed for the prevention and treatment of seizures. These include lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, and phenytoin. Benzodiazepines and phenobarbital are also considered anti-seizure drugs.
Most people who suffer from epilepsy take these meds, and pregnancy in itself can also increase the risk of seizures. Some of these drugs, including phenytoin, valproate, phenobarbital, topiramate, and carbamazepine, can cause a number of birth defects, including facial dysmorphisms, absent limbs, neural tube defects, impaired growth, and heart defects.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are popular over-the-counter drugs often taken to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. Popular NSAIDs include Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren), and celecoxib (Celebrex).
NSAIDs can affect kidney function and consequently lead to low levels of amniotic fluid. Adequate levels of amniotic fluid are required for muscular, lung, and gastrointestinal system development in fetuses. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) may sometimes be used as an alternative, but it’s always best to consult with a doctor before taking any medication.
Back in the 1950s, this drug was prescribed to pregnant women as a treatment for morning sickness and as a sedative. It turns out, however, that thalidomide leads to a number of birth defects, including absent or malformed limbs.
The drug is nonetheless effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma (cancer) and immune system disorders. Women who take it should talk to their doctors if they become pregnant. There are alternative treatments for those who take thalidomide for multiple myeloma.
Antibiotics are often prescribed to treat bacterial infections, but some of these, including aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones, can be harmful if taken during pregnancy.
Aminoglycosides such as streptomycin, gentamicin, and tobramycin may lead to hearing defects, balance problems, and inner ear damage in fetuses. Tetracyclines such as doxycycline can cause discolored teeth, and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin should also be avoided.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause birth defects or even be fatal to the fetus, so they're usually avoided during pregnancy. Similarly, some anticancer drugs can also be harmful.
Potentially harmful meds include fluorouracil, tamoxifen, ipilimumab, ifosfamide, HER2-targeted therapies (e.g. pertuzumab, trastuzumab), and protein kinase inhibitors (e.g. erlotinib).
While most medications taken for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are generally safe to take during pregnancy, some of those taken for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can be harmful.
These include methimazole, propylthiouracil (PTU), carbimazole, and radioactive iodine. Though many of these drugs (with the exception of radioactive iodine) may still be taken during some stages of the pregnancy. As such, pregnant women should consult with their doctor about their options.
Primaquine is a drug commonly used to treat malaria, but it can also be used in the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia. It shouldn’t, however, be taken during pregnancy.
Primaquine causes hemolytic anemia and, according to some animal studies, it can also cause DNA damage and genetic mutations. Malaria, however, should not be left untreated. Luckily, some antimalarial drugs can be taken during pregnancy. These include chloroquine, artemether-lumefantrine, and clindamycin with quinine.
Antiretrovirals, used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), may be harmful during pregnancy.
Didanosine, in particular, may cause birth defects. In animal studies, efavirenz and tenofovir also appear to be harmful, but there are no conclusive studies on humans to prove this.
People with HIV or AIDS who become pregnant may have to continue an antiretroviral regimen, but a doctor should be able to advise the best course of action.
Sources: (Health Digest) (Medscape) (FDA) (Medical News Today) (GoodRX) (American Academy of Family Physicians) (March of Dimes) (HIV.gov) (Epilepsy Foundation) (CDC)
See also: 58 things you cannot do while pregnant
Medications pregnant women should avoid
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HEALTH Pregnancy
Medicine has come a long way, but, even for healthy women, being pregnant is unique when it comes to health risks. A number of biological changes occur in a woman's body as a fetus develops, and the introduction of any chemicals via medications can put the life of an unborn child at risk. Indeed, some medications can really be dangerous if taken during pregnancy, and can lead to all sorts of health issues, including miscarriages, birth defects, premature births, and stillbirths.
In this gallery, you'll learn about all the medications you should avoid during pregnancy. Click on and find out if you're taking any of these.