Drugs to avoid during pregnancy
Check with a doctor before taking any drug - prescription or non-prescription. Always tell the doctor that you're pregnant.
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It's best not to take anything while you're pregnant unless your doctor confirms that the benefit to you outweighs any risk to your baby. The long-term effects of some drugs on the unborn child are still unknown. Other drugs are known to be dangerous to the fetus and should be completely avoided, others can only be taken in small doses.
Drugs to avoid
| Drug | Use | Possible side effects for your baby |
|---|---|---|
| Amphetamines | Stimulant | May cause heart defects and blood diseases |
| Anabolic steroids | Body-building | Can have a masculinizing effect on a female fetus |
| Tetracycline | Treats acne and other infections | Can colour both first and permanent teeth yellow |
| Streptomycin | Treats tuberculosis | Can cause deafness in infants |
| Antihistamines | Allergies/travel sickness | Some cause malformations; check with your doctor |
| Anti-nausea drugs | Combats nausea | May cause malformations, but there are some that can be used safely to treat morning sickness |
| Diuretics | Rid body of excess fluid | Can cause fetal blood disorders |
| Narcotics (morphine, etc) | Painkillers | Addictive; baby may become addicted to morphine and suffer withdrawal symptoms |
| Paracetamol | Reduces fever | Safe in small doses |
| LSD, cannabis | Recreational | Risk of chromosomal damage, and miscarriage |
| Sulphonamides | Treat infections | Can cause jaundice in the baby at birth |
| Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, etc) | Relieve pain and inflammation | Can cause premature closing of an important valve in baby’s circulatory system |
Immunization during pregnancy
When you're pregnant, your entire immune system is changing and may be weakened, so you may have unpredictable reactions to immunizations. If you've been in contact with infectious diseases, or you have to travel somewhere that requires immunizations, talk to your doctor and find out what is best to do. Generally, doctors advise against giving vaccinations prepared with live viruses - rubella, measles, mumps, and yellow fever. And it's best not to have the flu vaccine when you're pregnant, unless you have a high risk of heart or lung disease.
Posted 16.11.2010
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