Potential risk of medication during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

The use of medication during pregnancy and lactation has always represented a challenge to health professionals, since it involves potentially harmful action not only for women but also for the fetus. Most drugs given to pregnant women crosses the placenta and expose the developing embryo to its pharmacological effects in infants and may occur at its transfer into breast milk. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential risks to women caused by the use of drugs commonly dispensed in the city of Aimorés (MG), if they were to be administered in pregnancy and breastfeeding period. We evaluated 21 selected drugs in the city of Aimorés, based on the most dispensed among women, identified by pharmacists of 10 municipal pharmacies. Drugs were classified according to the risk category of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Of the drugs studied, 4.76% fell within the category of risk The FDA, in category B, 23.8%. In C, 47.61% may have teratogenic effects or toxic to embryos, while in D 19.04% were identified drugs that highlights risk to human fetuses. In class X, only 4.76% of the drugs were identified. It was observed that most drugs represents a considerable risk to the fetus and the mother infant case use these drugs during pregnancy and lactation. It was found that the use should be better monitored by prescribers and the presence of pharmaceutical intervention in the dispensation is of paramount importance.