Drugs in pregnancy Flashcards
What foetal problem can alcohol cause?
Fetal alcohol syndrome
What foetal problems can smoking cause?
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Cerebral palsy
- Learning difficulties
What foetal problems can marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine cause?
- Low birth weight
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Learning and behavioural problems
What does pharmacokinetics mean?
What the body does to a drug
Movement of a drug through the body
What does pharmacokinetics include?
Absorption Bioavailability Distribution Metabolism Excretion
What does pharmacodynamics include?
Biochemical
Physiologic
Molecular effects of drugs on body
What is the main drug used for the safe treatment of hypertension during pregnancy?
Labetolol
What other drugs can be used for the safe treatment of hypertension during pregnancy?
- Nifedipine
- Methyldopa
- Hydralazine
What are teratogenic drugs that can’t be used to treat hypertension during pregnancy?
- ACE inhibitors
* Angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB’s)
What effect does pregnancy have on antiepileptic drugs?
It causes a change in the free serum concentration of antiepileptics
What do you need to give someone with epilepsy when pregnant?
A high dose of folic acid
What antiepileptic drugs are safe in pregnancy?
Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
What antiepileptic drugs are not safe in pregnancy?
Phenobarbitone
Sodium valproate
What is the safest medication for someone with diabetes who is pregnant?
Insulin
What can metformin be used for in someone who is pregnant?
Gestational diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
What drug is safe to use to treat someone with a thromboembolism?
Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
What drugs are not safe to treat a thromboembolism in pregnancy?
Warfarin
DOAC’s
Why should you treat asthma with medication during pregnancy?
The risk of use of medication are lower than the risk of untreated asthma
What medications are safe to use to treat a headache?
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Sumatriptan
Propranolol
What medication used to treat a headache should be avoided in the third trimester?
Ibuprofen
What are advantages of morphine based medication?
No increased risk of congenital abnormalities
It is labour analgesia
When should you not use codeine ?
During lactation- could cause infant opiate toxicity
When should SSRI’s be used?
When the benefits outweigh the risk
What foetal abnormality can lithium cause?
Ebstein’s anomaly which is a cardiac anomaly
What foetal abnormalities can diazepam cause?
Cleft lip
Floppy infant syndrome
What foetal abnormalities can Quetiapine cause?
Poor neonatal adaptation syndrome
What 3 antibiotics are safe to use during pregnancy?
Penicillin
Macrolide
Cephalosporin
What 3 antibiotics are nit safe during pregnancy?
Tetracycline
Aminoglycoside
Sulphonamides
What is the effect of tetracycline on a foetus?
Skeletal development
Discolouration of teeth
What effect can sulphonamide have on a foetus?
Teratogenic, avoid in first trimester
What effect can aminoglycosides have on a foetus?
Auditory or vestibular nerve damage
