Drugs To Avoid During Pregnancy.

💊 DRUGS To AVOID During PREGNANCY

1) Antibiotics :

▫Fluoroquinolones :
(Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, And Norfloxacin)
▫Sulfonamides :
(Sulfasalazine And Trimethoprim - Sulfamethoxazole)
▫Tetracyclines
▫Streptomycin
▫Nitrofurantoin

Abnormalities Caused :

Possibility of Bone And Joint Abnormalities.
(Seen Only In animals).


2) Anticonvulsants :

▪Carbamazepine
▪Phenobarbital
▪Phenytoin
▪Valproate

Abnormalities Caused :

Bleeding Problems In The Newborn.
This Problem Can be Prevented By Taking Vitamin K Orally 30 Days Before Delivery.

Cause Risk Of Birth Defects, Including Neural Tube Defects.
(Such As Spina Bifida)

Valproate Cause Some (1%) Risk Of Birth Defects, Including Neural Tube Defects.
(Such As Meningomyelocele),
Cleft Palate, And
Defects of Face, The Heart, Skull, Limbs and Spine.


3) Antihypertensives :

a)Angiotensin - Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors :

▪Captopril
▪Benazepril
▪Fosinopril
▪Enalapril
▪Lisinopril
▪Quinapril
▪Ramipril
▪Trandolapril
▪Perindopril

Abnormalities Caused :

Serious Injury To The Fetus,
May Cause Kidney Damage In The Fetus,
Reduce Amniotic Fluid,
Also Cause Defects Of Lungs, Face and Limbs.

b) Calcium Channel Blockers :

▫Isradipine
▫Nisoldipine
▫Amlodipine
▫Verapamil
▫Nifedipine (Sustained - Release Only)
▫Diltiazem(Sustained - Release Only)
▫Nicardipine
▫Felodipine

Abnormalities Caused :

Fluid Retention in the Ankles,
Dizziness,
Headache,
Flushing,
Heartburn,
Tachycardia and
Enlarged Gums.

Verapamil Also Causes Constipation.

c) Beta Blockers :

▫Atenolol
▫Bisoprolol
▫Metoprolol
▫Acebutolol
▫Nadolol
▫Penbutolol
▫Propranolol
▫Betaxolol
▫Carteolol
▫Timolol
▫Nebivolol
▫Pindolol

Problems Caused :

Slow Growth Rate In The Fetus,
Low Level Of Blood Sugar And Low Heart Rate.

 d) Thiazide Diuretics :

▫Chlorothiazide
▫Bendroflumethiazide
▫Hydroflumethiazide
▫Chlorthalidone
▫Methyclothiazide
▫Metolazone
▫Indapamide
▫Hydrochlorothiazide

Problems Caused :

Decrease In The Level Of Oxygen, Potassium Sodium,
Decrease In Number Of Platelets In The Fetus,
Inadequate Growth Before Birth.


4) Antianxiety Drugs :

▪Lithium

Abnormalities Caused :

Poor Feeding,
Lethargy,
Reduced Muscle Tone,
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus In The Newborn and
Underactivity Of The Thyroid Gland.


6) Non Steroidal Anti - Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) :

▪Naproxen
▪Ibuprofen
▪Aspirin and other Salicylate

Problems Or Abnormalities Caused :

When Taken In Large Doses,
Probably Miscarriages During The First Trimester,
A Delay Within The Begin Of Labor,
Premature Closing Of The Connection Between The Aorta And Artery To The Lungs (Ductus Arteriosus),
Jaundice,
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (Damage To The Liner Of The Intestine), And (Occasionally)
Brain Injury Within The Foetus And Bleeding Issues Within The Woman Throughout And After Delivery And / Or Within The Newborn When The Medication Is Taken Late In Pregnancy,
A Reduction In The Amount Of Amniotic Fluid.


 7) Sex Hormones :

Synthetic Progestins
(But Not The Low Doses Used In Oral Contraceptives)

▫Danazol

When Synthetic Progestin And Danazol  Are Taken In The early Stages Of Pregnancy, Masculinization Of A Female Fetus’s Genitals, Sometimes Requiring Surgery For Correction.

▫Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Abnormalities Of The Penis In Sons,
Abnormalities Of The Uterus,
An Increased Risk Of Vaginal Cancer,
Menstrual Problems, and
Complications During Pregnancy In Daughters.


 8)Vaccines :

Vaccines for Polio, Measles, Mumps or Yellow Fever.

These Vaccines Causes Potential Infection Of The Placenta And Developing Fetus.

Vaccine For Chickenpox (Varicella) And Rubella.

This Is Associated With Unknow Risks.


9) Drugs Used In Skin Treatment :

▫Isotretinoin
▫Etretinate

Problems Caused :

Both Drugs,
Birth defects, Such As
Small Ears,
Heart Defects, and Hydrocephalus.

While Isotretinoin Also Cause Intellectual Disability And Risk of Miscarriage.


 10) Oral Anti Diabetics :

▫Metformin
▫Glyburide
▫Tolbutamide
▫Chlorpropamide

 Problems / Abnormalities Caused :

Inadequate Control Of Diabetes In The Pregnant Woman When A Pregnant Woman With Type 2 Diabetes Takes These Drugs,
The Possibility Of Increased Risk Of Miscarriage Is More.
Also, Cause a Very Low Blood Sugar Levels In The Newborn. (Hypoglycaemia).



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