Drugs are used in over half of all pregnancies and prevalence of use is increasing. The most commonly used drugs include antiemetics, antacids, antihistamines, analgesics, antimicrobials, diuretics, hypnotics, tranquilizers, and social and illicit drugs. Despite this trend, evidence-based guidelines for drug use during pregnancy are still lacking.
The FDA classifies drugs into 5 categories of safety for use during pregnancy (see FDA Categories of Drug Safety During Pregnancy). However, few well-controlled studies of therapeutic drugs have been conducted in pregnant women. Most information about drug safety during pregnancy is derived from animal studies and uncontrolled studies in people (eg, postmarketing reports). During pregnancy, drugs are often required to treat certain disorders. Despite widespread concern about drug safety, exposure to therapeutic drugs accounts for only 2 to 3% of all fetal congenital malformations; most malformations result from genetic, environmental, or unknown causes.
MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY
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