Pregnancy is an essential stage in procreation process. Indiscriminate use of drugs should be avoided in pregnancy. If for any reason, you have to take a medication in pregnancy other than your routine antenatal drug, inform your doctor before doing so. Below are ten drugs that a pregnant woman should avoid:
- Aspirin: Aspirin is a drug used to relieve pain and fever. People at risk of heart problem also use it because of its anti-platelet property. However, it must be avoided in pregnancy because it can cause excessive bleeding during delivery. High dose has also been found to affect the growth of a growing baby in the uterus.
- Tetracycline: Tetracycline is a potent antibiotics. It should be avoided in pregnancy because it can cause permanent discolouration of the teeth otherwise call enamel hypoplasia.
- Lisinopril: This is an anti-hypertensive. However, it is best avoided in pregnancy because it can cause irreversible kidney damage to the fetus.
- Diclofenac: The use of diclofenac in third trimester should be avoided. It can cause heart problem in the child.
- Fluconazole: It is an antifungal drug. Use of fluconazole in pregnancy causes miscarriage hence, CDC recommend topical formulation in pregnancy.
- Bismuth Subsalicylate: It is a drug used in heartburn but pregnant women should avoid it because it can cause bleeding during pregnancy and birth defect.
- Ibuprofen: Use of ibuprofen repeatedly in pregnancy can damage your baby’s heart.
- Carbamazepine: This drug is used as anti-epileptic and antipsychotic. However, its use in pregnancy can cause serious skin damage to your growing baby.
- Fansidar (Sulfadoxine/ Pyrimethamine): This can be used ONLY after you have started experiencing repeated fetal kick in pregnancy. It is given within 16-36 weeks of gestation. If given before 16 weeks, its antifolate property is teratogenic. If given after 36 weeks, it can cause neonatal jaundice.
- Alcohol: It is advisable to avoid this COMPLETELY in pregnancy especially in the first trimester!!!
Dr. Adeyemo Olusola is a medical graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria along with certificate in advanced diploma in Principles of Nutrition, Management and Leadership, Dublin and Certificate in Global Health from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In addition to his numerous certifications, he is a certified Telemedicine Physician from Harvard Medical School, USA. He is an avid reader of books from different oases of life, expert in Medical Statistics and an award winner at both local and international level. “So many a time, I have seen people die avoidable death because of lack of knowledge or information, falling victim of fate. There is then a necessity laid on us to help arm our society to the teeth, as a healthy society cannot be detached from an informed one. Hence, there is need for healthgist.net. We hope you will have a wonderful stay on our website.”
