Medications in Pregnancy: What Not To Take?

Pregnancy is a crucial time in every woman’s life and one that requires many medications. You might need medicine to control your blood pressure, treat anxiety or fall asleep. However, many medications should be avoided entirely during pregnancy, and women must be cautious when taking them. Several such drugs are known to harm the mother or the baby and can even cause birth defects in the newborn. To help you out, this blog discusses the following in detail.

• Risks associated with medication during pregnancy
• Medicines to avoid during pregnancy
• Tylenol Lawsuit

What are the risks associated with taking medications during pregnancy?

There are many risks associated with medication during pregnancy, such as –
– Miscarriage
– Birth defects, and
– Health problems for the baby.

What happens is that some medications can be passed to the baby through the umbilical cord. These medications can interfere with the normal functioning of the mother’s body and can cause problems in the baby, such as low birth weight, prematurity, breathing and feeding problems. That’s why it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any medication during pregnancy. On the basis of your past medical records, the doctor will be able to guide you on the medications you need to avoid.

Medicines that pregnant women should avoid

Here are some medicines for pregnant women that have been under scrutiny, and thus, it’s best to avoid them or be taken precautions.

1. Coumadin

Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is a blood-thinning medication. It is prescribed to treat and prevent clots in the heart, arteries and lungs. While this is a safe medicine, many cases have been reported with its associated link to fetal warfarin syndrome and spontaneous abortions. Its intake during the first semester should be avoided as it can develop several central nervous system abnormalities.
For mothers on long-term warfarin therapy, experts recommend heparin as an alternative.

Note: It’s important to talk to your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant while taking this drug.

2. Tylenol

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a common pain reliever that can be found in many over-the-counter medications. However, Tylenol has been recently under fire, and pregnant women should avoid taking it during pregnancy. Research suggests that taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) during pregnancy can increase the risk of various birth defects, including cleft palate and neural tube defects.

Other research has linked Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy to things like childhood asthma, autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the baby. Therefore, pregnant women need to avoid taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) if possible.

Note: It’s important to consult your doctor for other safe alternatives.

What’s Tylenol Lawsuit?

Several lawsuits alleging a link between Tylenol and autism have been filed against the drug’s manufacturer McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, alleging that they failed to educate the public about the possible associated risks with Autism in kids. Is this your case too? If yes, you may be entitled to financial compensation for any damages incurred. To receive the maximum compensation, you need to consult an expert attorney who specialises in personal injury and product liability lawsuits. An attorney can evaluate your case and advise you on whether you have a legitimate claim. They will help you navigate the legal process and establish a strong case by gathering all the necessary evidence.

3. Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones

Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics commonly used to treat bacterial infections. However, they should be avoided during pregnancy due to the risk of serious side effects in both mother and baby. These antibiotics have been linked to serious birth defects, including heart and brain defects, risk of premature birth and miscarriage.

4. Aspirin

Aspirin, a commonly used over-the-counter pain reliever, should be avoided during pregnancy since it can cause a number of health risks for both mother and baby. The dangers associated with taking aspirin during pregnancy are an increased risk of bleeding complications, an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm delivery, and a potential risk of birth defects.

5. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are medications used to treat allergies, colds, and other allergic reactions. However, these are not recommended for pregnant women. This is because studies have shown that antihistamines can increase the risk of birth defects, premature delivery, and even stillbirths. They can also cause other complications such as low birth weight, impaired development, and complications from infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis and jaundice.

Final Words

Pregnancy is a beautiful stage of motherhood and should be dealt with with caution. It’s best to avoid these medications and thus ensure the safety of you & your baby.