Q&A: Medication Prescriptions During Pregnancy
If you are curious about which prescription medications will be safe for you and your baby, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Q: I've been taking prescription drugs for a chronic condition for years. Should I stop now that I'm pregnant?
A: You're right to be concerned, as your baby's rapidly growing organs are very fragile at this time. However, you should never stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
Many untreated conditions can be more harmful to your baby than the medications that treat them.
How will the medication affect your unborn baby? It depends primarily on the properties of the medication, the amount you take, and when you take it during pregnancy. Your baby is most vulnerable to the drug between 18 and 55 days after conception. Before the 18-day mark, your body usually spontaneously aborts the affected fetus. After 55 days, your baby is less likely to be harmed by anything you take.
Discuss your medications immediately with your healthcare provider, who may prescribe a safer alternative or change the dosage now that you are pregnant. Below is a preliminary list of medications that are unsafe during pregnancy. Ask your doctor about anything you take that is not on this list:
- Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, streptomycin, and kanamycin. Erythromycin estolate can affect liver function in pregnant women. Fluoroquinolones may harm your baby's developing cartilage and bones.
- Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and valproic acid.
- Migraine medications, including ergotamine.
- Acne medications such as Accutane and other oral vitamin A compounds.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin.
- Some high blood pressure medications, such as the ACE inhibitors captopril and enalapril.
- Ulcer medications such as Cytotec (misoprostol).
- Androgen and testosterone products such as danazol.