Pregnancy period is a period in which various drugs are used
due to some complaints, pre-existing diseases or new conditions during
pregnancy. Of course, when medical conditions require it, drugs should be used
during pregnancy. Since the mother-to-be is pregnant when she has severe
complaints, she will not be deprived of medical treatment opportunities.
However, there are rules that must be followed in drug use during pregnancy.
When used in accordance with these rules, drugs taken during pregnancy are not
expected to cause undesirable effects on pregnancy and the baby.
The most important rule is not to use drugs unless the
medical condition or complaints require pregnancy, and to use the drugs to be
used with the recommendation of a doctor. There is a drug suitable for use in
pregnancy for almost every medical condition.
It is the period between the 31st and 71st day of organ
formation since the last menstrual period and is called the teratogenic period.
Negative effects occurring in the baby between these days may result in
anomaly. Medication should not be used in this circuit, except in a very
emergency situation.
The first 2 weeks after fertilization, that is fertilization,
is called "all or nothing" period. So the drug does not affect the
embryo at all or causes a miscarriage. Exposure to medications after this
two-week period can cause various anomalies. It is the embryonic period between
2-8 weeks after fertilization and it is the most risky period in terms of
malformations. 8 weeks after the fertilization, that is 10 weeks after the last
menstrual period, the fetal period begins. In this period, exposure to drugs
may cause some anomalies.
When the drugs are used during pregnancy, they are divided
into groups according to their benefit-loss ratio. Accordingly, a drug of
category A can be used easily during pregnancy without any harm. Drugs in
category B are also used comfortably, but drugs in category C are used if the
expected benefit is more than possible harm according to the condition of the
pregnancy and disease, and the drug is absolutely necessary. Medicines in
categories D and X are not used unless it is already a vital condition.
Regardless of what category of drug (even vitamin) in pregnancy, it should
never be used without consulting a doctor because the status of each pregnancy
and each disease may be different. The medicine beneficial to one pregnant
woman may be harmful to the other.
Drug
categories during pregnancy:
Category A
drugs
It has been determined that the drug used in human studies
does not harm the fetus.
Category B
drugs
Studies in animals are not at risk for the fetus, but no
studies have been performed in humans or no adverse effects have been detected
in animals, whereas no studies have been found in humans.
Category C
drugs
Animal experiments have had a negative effect, but no
experiments have been performed in humans.
Category D
drugs
There is a risk of negative effects on the fetus in humans,
but in some cases threatening the life of the mother, it can be used in a
controlled manner.
Category X
drugs
The fetal risk is extremely high. The risk in the use of the
drug is much more than its benefit.
Some
examples of drugs harmful for use in pregnancy:
- Antoconvulsant drugs (epilepsy drugs) may be associated
with neural tube defect, fetal hydantoin syndrome, cleft palate lip, heart
anomalies.
- ACE inhibitors, which are antihypertensive drugs, are not
used in pregnancy, they are teratogens. The use of these in pregnancy can cause
ischemia, anuria, IUGR, shortness of the extremity, development defects in the
fetal kidneys. (ACE inhibitor fetopathy)
- NSAI drugs (indomethacin) can cause early closure of the
ductus arteriosus and oligohydramnios, especially if they are used for more
than 72 hours and if they are used after 32 weeks.
- Some antiviral drugs are inconvenient to use during
pregnancy (ribavirin).
- Antimetabolite drugs such as methotrexate and
cyclophosphamide may have teratogenic effects during pregnancy.
- Heparin treatment can be applied during pregnancy (it
cannot pass through the placenta), but warfarin can have a teratogenic effect.
Warfarin embryopathy is a condition characterized by anzal hypoplasia,
vertabral anomalies.
- Using lithium during pregnancy can cause Ebstein anomaly,
hypothyroidism, diabetes insipitus in the heart.
- Using DES (diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy can cause
mullerian anomalies, hypoplastic uterus or T-shaped uterus and clear cell
cancers in the baby girl.
- There are studies showing that the risk of cleft palate lip
increases with the use of corticosteroids in the first trimester.
- Isutretinoin is a very teratogenic drug (anotia, microtia,
thymus aplasia, cleft lip, heart anomalies, central nervous system anomalies)
- The use of telidomite during pregnancy is associated with
phocomelia. (Fokomeli: No arms and legs; hands and feet clinging to shoulders
and hips)
- Radioactive iodine use is contraindicated due to thyroid
diseases during pregnancy.
- Using toluene can cause toluene embryopathy, similar to
fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Smoking, alcohol and cocaine use during pregnancy
also have a serious teratogenic potential.
-SEXUAL INTERCOURSE IN PREGNANCY
-WORKING IN PREGNANCY
-EATING CHOCOLATE DURING PREGNANCY
-SLEEPING TOO MUCH DURING PREGNANCY WILL HARM THE BABY?
-USING A SAFETY BELT IN PREGNANCY
-DRUG USE IN PREGNANCY
-CAT, DOG, BIRD AT HOME IN PREGNANCY
-TATTOO IN PREGNANCY
-TREADMILLS IN PREGNANCY
