Drugs in Pregnancy Flashcards
Describe a teratogen
Causes abnormality within baby following foetal exposure during pregnancy
When is pregnancy most vulnerable to teratogens?
First half of pregnancy
Affects embryogenesis
What are preventable teratogens?
Alcohol, smoking and drugs
What can alcohol in pregnancy cause?
Foetal alcohol syndrome
What can smoking in pregnancy cause?
Low birth weight, preterm birth, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties
What can drugs like marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine cause during pregnancy?
Low birth weight, withdrawal symptoms, learning and behavioural problems
What is pharmacokinetics?
What the body does to a drug
Movement of drug through and out of the body
Absorption, bioavailability, distribution, metabolism and excretion
What is pharmacodynamics?
What the drug does to the body
Biochemical, physiological and molecular effects of drug
Receptor binding/ post receptor effect
What can normal physiological changes in pregnancy lead to for pharmacokinectics and pharmacodynamics?
Alteration in pharmacokinetics of the drug and may affect the pharmacodynamics
What did thalidomide cause?
Phocomelia
What is first line for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy?
Cyclizine - antihistamine
Prochlorperazine - phenothiazine
Doxylamine/ pyridoxine combination
What is second line for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy?
Ondansetron
Metoclopramide
What can be used to treat hypertension in pregnancy?
Labetolol, nifedipine, methyldopa and hydralazine
What are some hypertension teratogenic medicines?
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonist
Change as soon as pregnancy is confirmed
What are the safest drugs to use for epilepsy in pregnancy?
Carbamazepine and lamotrigine
Always give high dose of folic acid