List of medications to avoid during pregnancy The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established a list of medications to avoid during pregnancy. It has a system that classifies drugs as regards their safety during pregnancy. However, all drugs are tested to ensure their safety for pregnant women. Therefore, it is advisable to take any medication, after consultation with your doctor.
The FDA classification of drugs
Category "A" - these drugs have been tested in terms of security settings and have been found safe during pregnancy. They are vitamin B6, folic acid, and thyroid medications, prescribed or in moderation.
Category B - These drugs have been used during pregnancy and many are not cause major disorders of birth and other adverse effects of pregnancy. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol), antibiotics, sweetener aspartame (artificial), prednisone (cortisone), famotidine (Pepcid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and insulin (for diabetes). However, during the last trimester, ibuprofen is not recommended.
Category "C" - these drugs have potential to create complications during pregnancy. Some of them are in the testing phase of security testing. These drugs contain a warning that they should be used only if absolutely necessary and, as a last resort. Medications to avoid during pregnancy are Sudafed, prochlorperzaine (Compazine), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and fluconazole (Diflucan).
"D" Catergory - these drugs show a clear risk to the health of the developing fetus. They include alcohol, phenytoin (Dilantin), and lithium (used in the treatment of manic-depressive illness). The chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer are also in this list. However, in some cases, these drugs must be administered during pregnancy. They must be done under strict medical supervision.
"X" Category - these drugs has been shown to cause birth disorders and pregnant women should never take them. These drugs include psoriasis (Tegison or Soriatane) and cystic acne (Accutane), which are used to treat skin thalidomide, a sedative, and diethylstilbestrol (DES), which had been used for prevention miscarriage in America and Europe until 1971 until 1993.
Other drugs that enter the list are aspirin and salicylate containing medications. They are particularly damaging in the last quarter. Where it is absolutely essential to use these medicines, they must be used under close supervision. You should also avoid the use of certain painkillers, like most of them contain cetylsalicaylate. This compound can make your pregnancy and even longer before causing bleeding and / or after childbirth.
books Talk to your doctor, and read articles and learn more about medications to avoid during pregnancy.
Posted on February 21, 2010.
