You may be tempted to pop a pill for your headache, body ache, or nausea commonly experienced during pregnancy but, ensure its safety before you do so. As it is not always possible to know which medications to avoid during pregnancy, it is wise to ask your doctor before taking any medicine. Some medications may cross the placenta and reach the developing baby. It may lead to serious adverse effects such as congenital disabilities or other pregnancy complications. This post tells you about certain drugs that may be harmful to you and your baby and helps you to understand which drugs to avoid and why.
Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy
The following is the list of groups and individual drugs you should avoid as they could have an impact on fetal development. Most of the studies are inconclusive and need further research to confirm the adverse effects of the drugs on the fetus. However, you should never take these drugs without your doctor’s prescription.
1. Acne medications
Vitamin A derivatives such as isotretinoin (Accutane), which is used to treat severe acne, increase the risk of birth defects, cardiac and brain defects, and also physical abnormalities in the baby. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this drug under category X, which means there is positive evidence of fetal risk (1). Oral tetracyclines such as doxycycline (Doryx) used to treat acne, and bacterial infections can cause permanent discoloration of teeth of the baby (2). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against the use of these two drugs during pregnancy because of its potential risks (3).
2. Antifungal medications
Antifungal medications (4), such as fluconazole (Diflucan), are usually prescribed for oral thrush and vaginal fungal infections (5). According to the FDA, the long-term use of high-dose (400-800 mg/day) fluconazole during the first trimester may result in ‘abnormal-looking’ face, oral cleft, bowing thigh bones, thin ribs, long bones, and congenital heart diseases in the infant (6). However, this risk was not found to be associated with a single dose of fluconazole 150mg to treat vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis). There are no well-controlled studies of Diflucan in pregnant women, so if you are pregnant or planning to, and need to take Diflucan, then inform your doctor about your pregnancy.
3. Antihistamines
These are taken for nasal congestion, hives, rash, and other allergic symptoms. While there are no studies to prove any definite teratogenic effects (effects on the fetus), antihistamines are not categorized under Pregnancy Category A (safe to take during pregnancy) (7). Therefore, you need to discuss the safety of the drugs with your doctor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine as safe options during pregnancy. They also recommend cetirizine and loratadine after the first trimester, for patients who cannot tolerate high doses of chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine (7). However, the safety of antihistamines is still under question because of the limited human studies. As most of the antihistamines are available as over-the-counter drugs for motion sickness, and allergies, it is best to consult your doctor before taking them during pregnancy.
4. Benzodiazepines
Clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium), belonging to the class of benzodiazepines, help treat anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and seizures. As per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines on the use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy and lactation, benzodiazepines do not pose a serious teratogenic risk (effects on the growth of the fetus) (8). However, the guidelines also mention about the possible risks such as 0.01% increase in the risk of oral cleft associated with diazepam (Valium), and floppy infant syndrome (hypothermia, lethargy, poor respiratory effort, and feeding difficulties) if benzodiazepines are taken during labor. Also, the infant is likely to have withdrawal symptoms for several months if the mother took alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), or diazepam during pregnancy. The FDA has categorized benzodiazepines under Pregnancy Category D, which means that there is a potential risk to the fetus but the drug may be used if the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks.
5. Chloramphenicol
The antibiotic may not have any adverse effects on the fetus when taken during pregnancy. A Hungarian population-based study states that the use of chloramphenicol in therapeutic doses during the early stages of pregnancy pose little risk to the developing fetus (9). Also, a Danish nationwide cohort study concluded that administering chloramphenicol eye drops or eye ointments during the first trimester was not associated with any major congenital malformations (10). The first issue of Clinical Infectious Disease states that there is clinical data that chloramphenicol, when administered during delivery, crosses the placenta and causes grey baby syndrome in the baby (11), and hence be avoided during labor.
6. Codeine
The opioid medication is used for pain and cough. A Scientific Impact Paper by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) states that opioids could be taken during all stages of pregnancy. However, they have to be taken in the lowest dose for the shortest possible time (12). A Michigan Medicaid study also reported that there was no increased risk of abnormal congenital disabilities in pregnant women exposed to codeine in the first trimester (13). But neonatal withdrawal symptoms are observed in the newborns (in non-addicted mothers) even when therapeutic doses of codeine were taken during the last trimester.
7. Coumadin (warfarin)
The blood-thinning medication is prescribed to treat and prevent clots in the heart, veins, arteries, and lungs. Its intake during the first trimester could lead to a rare condition called fetal warfarin syndrome (14) and is also associated with spontaneous abortions. There could be a risk of central nervous system abnormalities if warfarin is taken at any stage in the pregnancy. For mothers who need to be on long-term warfarin therapy, experts recommend heparin as a substitute (15). Warfarin must be avoided during pregnancy; if you are using this medication, and planning to get pregnant, then talk to your doctor.
8. Fluoroquinolones
These are another class of antibiotics. The use of fluoroquinolones during early pregnancy was found to have been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage (16). While there are no controlled studies on the effects of fluoroquinolone (Ciprofloxacin) on pregnant women, animal studies showed adverse effects such as permanent cartilage erosion in weight-bearing joints, and cystic fibrosis (17).
9. NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil), diclofenac(Voltaren), naproxen (Naprelan), and piroxicam (Feldene) are prescribed as pain relief options. According to the Scientific Impact Paper by the Royal College of Obstetricians, NSAIDS should be avoided during pregnancy unless prescribed by the physician. They should be avoided during the first trimester and after 30 weeks of gestation (18). The use of NSAIDs during pregnancy is found to result in low birth weight in the baby, but the low weight could be attributable to the underlying inflammatory condition than the drug itself. There is a borderline risk with these drugs, so it is good to avoid them during pregnancy (19).
10. Primaquine
The antimalarial drug treats malaria caused by Plasmodium virax parasite. Although there are no human studies, there is likely to be a risk of fetal anemia if you have G6PD deficiency (20).
11. Sulfonamides
Also referred to as sulfa drugs, they are another group of antibiotics that treat bacterial infections. A population-based case-control study concluded that using Cotrimoxazole (sulfonamide) during pregnancy may increase the risk of cardiovascular malformations, and urinary tract abnormalities (21). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends doctors to prescribe antibiotics after discussing the possible outcomes with the mother (22).
12. Topiramate
The anti-epileptic drug is used to treat migraine headaches and other psychiatric illnesses. According to the US FDA, usage during the first trimester could increase the risk of cleft lip or cleft palate in newborns (23). The FDA also states that oral clefts happen during the early stages of pregnancy (even before the woman knows she is pregnant) (24), so women of childbearing age should talk to physicians for safer options (when on topiramate) if they are planning to get pregnant. Also, you should not stop taking topiramate without talking to your healthcare professional as it can cause health problems to you and the baby.
13. Trimethoprim (Primsol)
The antibiotic is used to treat bladder infections. The Best Practice Journal’s ‘Managing urinary tract infections in pregnancy’ states that there are no controlled studies to support the use of trimethoprim during pregnancy. So, it is recommended to avoid this medication during the first trimester as it may increase the risk of neural tube defects (25). A study using the Danish fertility database found an association between the use of trimethoprim in the 12 weeks before conception and doubling of the rate of congenital malformations (26). However, further investigation is needed to confirm the chances of adverse effects. So, talk to your doctor if you are on such medications. While some of these medicines are a clear no during pregnancy, some may be given by the doctor if they think the benefits outweigh the risks. You need to be extra careful while taking over-the-counter medications as they can be purchased without a prescription. Certain OTC drugs to avoid are Aspirin, bismuth subsalicylate, ibuprofen, and Naproxen. Medications need not always be the first line of treatment in the case of minor disturbances such as a headache, nausea, joint pains, and constipation during pregnancy.
Things To Consider Before You Consume OTC Medications
Here are a few things to consider before going for a pill, especially when you are pregnant.
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