15 DRUGS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY OR IF YOU WANT TO GET PREGNANT

There are certain drugs that are not good for the pregnant women and also for women trying to get pregnant.

These are the drugs you should avoid by all means if are pregnant or trying to get pregnant;

1. Thalidomide

Thalidomide is teratogenic, meaning, it can affect embryonic development. This particular drug was initially made to be a sedative, it was later used to treat “morning sickness” in pregnant women amongst other things, but it resulted in children born to the mothers who took the said drug to be born with defective limb- some were born without limbs, loss thumb and the likes.

2. Tetracycline

Tetracycline can harm the fetus. It affects the bone & teeth development of the baby. It can also cause the teeth of your child to be permanently stained. If you are pregnant or get pregnant while taking this drug, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

3. Chloramphenicol
This drug can cause gray baby syndrome and serious blood disorder.

4. Ciprofloxacin & Levofloxacin
They are both fluoroquinolone antibiotics. According to a study conducted in 2017, fluoroquinolone may also increase the chances of having a miscarriage. It can also cause problem to the baby’s muscle, skeletal growth as well as joint pains for the mother.

5. Primaquine
Is an anti-malaria, animal studies have shown that it can damage blood cells in a fetus.

6. Trimethoprim and Erythromycin

They are antibiotics know as sulfa drugs. They can cause jaundice (yellowing of the eyes) in the baby. And also Trimethoprim can cause neural tube defects which may affect brain development in the developing baby.

7. Ibuprofen

Taking high doses of this drug can have dangerous consequences on pregnant mothers like; miscarriage, delayed onset of labour, jaundice, and it can increase the risk of bleeding for both mother and baby. Ibuprofen should not be used by pregnant women.

8. Warfarin
This particular drug can cause birth defects and should only be used when benefits outweighs the risks.

9. Lorazepam
This particular drug is used for treating anxiety or other mental disorders. It can lead to withdrawal symptoms and birth defects on the baby.

10. Bismuth subsalicylate
This particular drug can lead to birth defects.

11. Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine
Phenylephrine is a decongestant (same with pseudoephedrine) used for short-term relief of nasal congestion from the common cold, sinusitis, upper respiratory allergies. They are available in several combinations with other over-the-counter cough and cold medications.

If you’re pregnant avoid pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine or medicines that contain them especially during your first trimester.

12. Accutane (Isotretinoin)

Isotretinoin is used to treat a severe kind of acne called nodular acne. Taking this drug during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in babies. And it is irreversible.

13. Streptomycin
If you’re pregnant, don’t use streptomycin as it may cause hearing loss in babies born to women who use the drug during pregnancy.

14. Albendazole

Albendazole is a drug for treating infections caused by worms. It is an anthelminthic. It should not be used during pregnancy as animal studies indicates it can cause fetal harm when used by pregnant women. If you get pregnant while on this drug speak to your doctor immediately. Mebendazole is tolerable not albendazole.

15. Fluconazole

Fluconazole should only be used during pregnancy in the instance of life threatening fungal infection where the anticipated benefits outweighs the risk if not, an alternative should be used as it may harm the baby or cause spontaneous abortion.

Being pregnant is a very delicate situation, you should be careful about anything you take especially drugs, it’s not just you, even the life and wellbeing of your baby is at stake here.

Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication and talk to them about the medications you use already. It is very important.

15 DRUGS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY OR IF YOU WANT TO GET PREGNANT