[Medical Q&A] Is it feasible to use oral hypoglycemic drugs to treat hyperglycemia during pregnancy?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhao Jie, Chief Pharmacist Professor of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

At present, there are many kinds of oral hypoglycemic drugs on the market, such as metformin and glimepiride, which we often hear about. They are favored by diabetic patients because of their convenient carrying and taking methods. Many pregnant mothers may have doubts. With so many kinds of oral hypoglycemic drugs, is there no one that can be used to treat hyperglycemia during pregnancy?

According to the current authoritative medical guidelines, all oral hypoglycemic drugs lack long-term safety data for use during pregnancy. Therefore, for the treatment of hyperglycemia during pregnancy, the preferred drug is insulin. Although some pregnant mothers have learned on the Internet that "sugar moms" are using metformin to control blood sugar, this is usually an option for pregnant women who have poor results with insulin to control blood sugar after fully communicating with their doctors and weighing the pros and cons. This situation does not apply to all pregnant women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant mothers must not try to use oral hypoglycemic drugs on their own to avoid risks to the health of mother and baby. Safety is the first priority when taking medication during pregnancy, and be sure to use the medication as directed by your doctor.