Principles and precautions for medication during pregnancy

When pregnant women take medication, the drugs can pass through the placenta and make the fetus an unintentional user of the drug. Improper use of drugs can cause serious harm. One of the main hazards of improper use of drugs during pregnancy is fetal malformation. Therefore, the following precautions should be taken when taking drugs during pregnancy:

Medication classification during pregnancy

At present, my country's medication for pregnant women has borrowed the standards set by the US Food and Drug Administration, and the different hazards of drugs are classified as follows:

Class A drugs: safe for pregnant women and harmless to embryos and fetuses, such as appropriate amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, etc.

Class B drugs: relatively safe for pregnant women and basically harmless to the fetus, such as penicillin, erythromycin, digoxin, insulin, etc.

Class C drugs: They have only been proven to cause fetal teratogenicity or kill embryos in animal experiments, but have not been confirmed in human studies. Pregnant women need to weigh the pros and cons of taking the drugs, and they can only be used when it is confirmed that the benefits outweigh the risks, such as gentamicin, promethazine, isoniazid, etc.

Class D drugs: There is definite evidence of harm to the fetus. Unless the pregnant woman has an absolute effect after taking the medicine, her use should not be considered. For example, streptomycin sulfate (causes damage to the 8th cranial nerve of the fetus, hearing loss, etc.) and tetracycline hydrochloride (cause cleft palate, anencephaly, etc. in the fetus) should only be used as a last resort.

Class X drugs: They can cause fetal abnormalities and are prohibited from use during pregnancy, such as methotrexate (can cause cleft lip, cleft palate, anencephaly, hydrocephalus, meningocele, etc.), diethylstilbestrol (can cause vaginal adenosis, vaginal clear cell carcinoma), etc.

If A and B drugs are available, then A drugs should be used. When A and B drugs are not available, use C drugs with caution. D drugs should only be used when there are no other drugs available and the expectant mother is seriously ill and needs medication urgently. Drugs that have not been confirmed to be harmful by animal experiments and clinical data reports should not be used as much as possible. Because no data confirmation does not mean no danger. In the first 3 months of pregnancy, it is better not to use C, D, and X drugs. When there is a situation where medication must be used, A and B drugs that have been clinically verified to be non-teratogenic should be used as much as possible.

1. Cold

Colds are a common disease during pregnancy. Pregnant women who catch a cold should decide on medication based on symptoms, pay attention to rest, have a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, avoid public places, exercise appropriately, and increase immunity.

2. Diarrhea

Diarrhea during pregnancy can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in pregnant women, affect the absorption of nutrients, affect the growth and development of the fetus, and in severe cases, cause miscarriage or premature birth. If a pregnant woman has diarrhea, she should first understand the cause of the diarrhea. If it is infectious diarrhea, antibiotics should be used for treatment. In any case, if the diarrhea is severe, she should see a doctor, rehydrate under the doctor's guidance and correct the electrolyte imbalance.

3. Anemia

Some pregnant women will experience anemia and abnormal blood sugar during pregnancy. The cause of anemia should be understood. If it is iron deficiency anemia, oral iron supplements should be given for mild cases, iron supplements should be given for severe cases, and blood transfusions should be given if necessary. If it is megaloblastic anemia, the cause should be checked and symptomatic treatment should be given. If blood sugar is abnormal, a glucose tolerance test should be done to understand whether it is gestational diabetes or diabetes combined with pregnancy. Diet and exercise can be given, and insulin treatment should be given if blood sugar is not well controlled.

Principles of medication during pregnancy

1. When you seek medical treatment during pregnancy, you should pay attention to your menstrual period. You should tell your doctor that you are pregnant and the duration of your pregnancy. When there is a possibility of conception, you should pay attention to whether your menstrual period has expired when taking medication.

2. Do not take medicine on your own. The mother's illness will also affect the fetus, so you should neither abuse medicine nor not take medicine when you are sick. Do not choose medicine on your own. You must use medicines that have been proven to be harmless to the embryo and fetus under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Avoid or use less drugs if possible. Especially in the first three months of pregnancy, consider not using or temporarily stopping drugs that can be avoided.

4. When taking medication, you must pay attention to the gestational age and strictly control the dosage and duration.

5. Adhere to rational medication and stop taking the medicine in time after the condition is under control.

6. When there are two or more drugs with the same or similar therapeutic effects, consideration should be given to choosing the drug that is less harmful to the fetus.

7. Drugs that are definitely teratogenic are prohibited.

8. Avoid combination therapy if a single drug can be used. Do not use newer drugs if drugs with relatively certain results can be used.

9. Experimental medications, including pregnancy test medications, are prohibited during pregnancy.

Popular Science Pharmacist: Wang Hongjie

Workplace: Henan Province Pingyu County Maternal and Child Health Hospital