Pregnant females can have severe headaches or upset stomachs. The science behind the effect of medication on a female and fetus is extensive. The blood-brain barriers which prevent many drugs and toxic substances from entering the brain are less developed or still developing in a fetus. Medicines that penetrate the blood-placental barrier enter the fetus and enter the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier. These drugs can affect the fetus adversely.
During pregnancy, it is highly advised to avoid the use of certain drugs. These drugs are perfectly normal for someone who isn’t pregnant, but a pregnant female can harm or potentially kill their fetus if these drugs are consumed.
A pregnant female should consult a doctor before taking regular medication for a headache or flu. Moreover, suppose the female takes a specific medication for a condition, for example. In that case, if a female is taking aspirin to lower the risk of heart attacks, she should consider doctors’ advice or OBGYN in Trinity, Florida, before continuing the medication during pregnancy or should look out for harmless or less harmful substitutes.
In this post, we have mentioned a few potentially harmful drugs that can be fatal for the fetus and are best advised to be avoided during pregnancy. These include:
- Anticoagulant drugs (Warfarin): these are used to make blood thin and are given to treat heart conditions and lower the risk of blood clots. It is not preferable to get it at the early stages of pregnancy because it may affect the facial and mental development of the child. Still, if necessary, the doctors provide anticoagulant drugs which are safer during pregnancy.
- Sodium Valproate: It is used to treat epilepsy but, if given in pregnancy, may cause congenital disabilities and developmental abnormalities. If the patient is on this drug and gets pregnant, they must not stop it as it may increase the risk of seizures.
- Antidepressants: Certain medications may affect the baby, so if a patient is on antidepressants, they must consult with their doctor to know the risks of taking these drugs during pregnancy.
- Anti-migraine drugs: these include ergotamine and methysergide. These drugs can cause stillbirth or miscarriages. A pregnant female should consult a doctor before taking these drugs.
- Antihistamine: these drugs help with allergy and inflammation. Not all antihistamines are safe for the fetus; doctors prescribe safer substitutes to treat allergies during pregnancy.
- Medication of acne and psoriasis: this category of drugs mainly includes isotretinoin and co-Cyprindiol. These drugs are not safe during pregnancy; safer topical substitutes like gels and cream that can be applied to the skin are prescribed. Pregnant women should avoid any topical replacement with vitamin-A.
The above mentioned is a small list of drugs to avoid during pregnancy. You may consider your specialist for further information.
