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SAFE
PRESCRIPTIONS DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
(HOW TO HAVE THE CAKE & EAT IT
TOO!)s
DR. R. RAVINDRANATH, MD.
Diabetes & Heart care clinic, D-2, Lotus colony, Chennai – 35.
Phone – 4355368/4359064
Email: abishelk@eth.net
It is a universally known
fact that taking drugs and medication during pregnancy is taboo to avoid potential harm to
the newcomer in the waiting. But the ever-lurking pathogens in the environment do not obey
the social justice and are not that much humane to spare the mothers who care. Henceforth,
it may become imperative to seek remedy for illnesses and discomfiture.
The following guidelines, though not
comprehensive, definitely alleviate the fears of the apprehensive mothers with lot of
misconceptions & nightmares regarding miscarriages & deformations.
These guidelines though safe enough
--- still need judicious use.
COLD:
The best way to manage cold is
symptomatic treatment with fluids, humidity and rest. If absolutely necessary and allergy
symptoms predominate, antihistamines can be administered. Chlorpheniramine maleate and
tripolidine when combined with pseudo ephedrine HCL appear to be safe during pregnancy and
lactation.
DIARRHEA:
Loperamide HCL has the best safety record in women with diarrhea, who are pregnant or
breast-feeding. Isabghol and kaolin/pectin are also treatment choices for diarrhea.
CONSTIPATION:
Fibre and Fluids, fruits and Isabghol or Senna are options for constipation. All other
laxatives/purgatives, including mineral oil should be avoided, if possible.
NAUSEA AND VOMITING:
Acupressure wristbands are recommended for preventing nausea and vomiting. The
following medications can be helpful:
- Vitamin B6, 25 mg every 8 hours.
- Vitamin B6, 25 to 50 mg 3 times daily
beginning at symptom onset in combination with doxylamine, 12.5 to 25 mg once or twice
daily beginning at the onset of symptoms.
- Phosphorated carbohydrated solution, 1 to
2 tablespoons every 15 minutes up to a maximum of 5 doses per day.
Although small, frequent meals and a
bland diet might prevent nausea in some women, there is little data to support its use.
OTHER ILLNESSES NEED DEFINITE
CONSULTATION WITH THE PHYSICIAN.
REFERENCES:
- Drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Briggs
GG, Freeman RK
- Committee on drugs, American Academy of
Pediatrics
- Medications in mother’s milk - Hale
T.
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