Drugs and Pregnancy

In many cases, drugs and pregnancy can be combined without causing any harm to the fetus. To be sure, however, you should tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking -- including herbal supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a system whereby the safety of drugs and pregnancy is measured. Category A drugs are the safest; category X drugs should not be taken during pregnancy.

 

Drugs and Pregnancy: An Overview

It can be hard to plan exactly when you will get pregnant in order to avoid taking any drugs.
 Most of the time, drugs a pregnant woman is taking do not enter the fetus. Sometimes, however, they can, causing damage or birth defects.
 
The risk of damage being done to a fetus is the greatest in the first few weeks of pregnancy, when major organs are developing. But researchers do not know if taking drugs during pregnancy will have negative effects on the baby later.
 
Many drugs that you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) in drug and discount stores and drugs your healthcare provider prescribes are thought to be safe to take during pregnancy, although there are no drugs that are proven to be absolutely safe to take while you are pregnant. Many of these products indicate on the label if they are thought to be safe during pregnancy. If you are not sure about taking an OTC product, ask your healthcare provider.
 
Some drugs are not safe to take during pregnancy. Even drugs prescribed to you by your healthcare provider before you became pregnant might be harmful to both you and the growing fetus during pregnancy. Make sure that all of your healthcare providers know you are pregnant, and never take any drugs during pregnancy unless they tell you to.
 
Also, keep in mind that other things like caffeine, vitamins, and herbal teas and remedies can affect the growing fetus. Talk with your healthcare provider about cutting down on caffeine and ask about the type of vitamins you need to take. Never use any herbal product without talking to your healthcare provider first.
 
(Drugs and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD