LIST OF DRUGS To AVOID During PREGNANCY…unsafe drugs in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a a very precarious condition that requires you to take medications that will not harm the baby.
Below are some the the drugs that are not safe in 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. Tendon rupture and poor development of the ligaments.
(Seen Only In animals).
Tetracyclines stains the teeth.
*💊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) – heart deformities
Jaundice,
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (Damage To The Lining 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 and breast 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).
Adapted from Dr SaLahuddin Swabiwal
for public education.
