DRUGS USED IN
PREGNANCY
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF: DR. ANSHUL AGARWAAL
SUBMITTED BY: MOHAMMAD ZUBAIR ANSARI
Introduction
 Drug use during pregnancy and lactation requires special
consideration because both the mother and the child are
affected.
 Few drugs are considered safe, and drug use is generally
contraindicated.
 Many pregnant or lactating women take drugs for acute or
chronic disorders or habitual use of alcohol and tobacco.
 Two main concerns must be addressed when considering
whether to give a drug to pregnant women.
 that the drug may be teratogenic
 drug can affect near term fetus.
 One must always be aware of the teratogenic, toxic or
otherwise harmful effects of the drug on the developing fetus.
 The physiologic changes during pregnancy and the consequent
alteration in the pharmacokinetics lead to changes in drug
absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
 As a general rule, it is best that no drug should be given during
pregnancy, especially during the first trimester as it is period of
organogenesis.
 Fortunately, most of drugs commonly used in dentistry are not
contraindicated during pregnancy.
 Tetracycline and streptomycin are notably exceptions.
Pregnancy Trimesters
 First trimester: in this trimester, different body organs in
the fetus are forming.
 It is most critical time for teratogenicity.
 Dental prophylaxis with detailed instructions and a visual
examination of the oral cavity without X-rays should be
performed if the patient is pregnant.
 Elective dental treatment should be avoided in the morning
as women may feel nauseated in the morning.
 Second trimester: it is an excellent time for the patient to
undergo dental prophylaxis if needed.
 The patient’s periodontal status should be carefully evaluated
during this period.
 Third trimester: the women begin to feel uncomfortable and it is
difficult for her to lie in prone position for long period time.
 Drugs that may affect the newborn should not be given during this
trimester.
 Positioning of patient on dental chair can cause hypotension due to
compression of gravid uterus on the inferior vena cava,resulting in
syncope.
 Stress can precipitate premature labor.
 Due to hormonal changes, gingival tissue shows exaggerated
response to local irritants.
Pharmacokinetics in Pregnancy
 Drug absorption: high circulating levels of progesterone slow
the gastric emptying as well as gut motility resulting in slower
drug absorption.
 Parenteral drug administration is preferred in order to obtain
a quick response.
 Drug compliance may be poor because of nausea and fear of
adverse effect.
 Drug metabolism: hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes are
induced during pregnancy probably by high concentration
of circulating progesterone.
 This can lead to more rapid metabolic degradation
especially of highly lipid soluble drugs.
 Drug excretion: during pregnancy the renal plasma flow
increases by 100% and glomerular filtration rate by 70%.
 Hence, drugs which depend for their elimination mainly on
kidney are eliminated more rapidly than in non-pregnant
stage, e.g. ampicillin, gentamicin and cephalosporin.
 Increase total blood volume: there is increased total blood
volume, because of increased fluid retention.
 This leads to change in cardiac output, blood pressure and
glomerular filtration rate.
 This results in change in volume of distribution of drug,
change in metabolism,
 change in absorption, change in excretion of drug,
 change in protein binding of drugs and passage of drug
through placenta.
 Teratogenicity: it refers to capacity of a drug to cause fetal
abnormalities when administered to pregnant mother.
 Drug can affect fetus at three stages,
1. stage of fertilization and implantation
2. stage of organogenesis
3. stage of growth and development
Drugs Abnormalities
Thalidomide Phocomelia
Anticancer drug Multiple defect, Fetal death
Tetracycline Discolored and deformed tooth, Retarded
bone
growth.
Phenytoin Craniofacial and limb defect, cleft lip,
cleft palate
Phenobarbitone Various malformations
Carbamazepine CNS defect
Retinoids Various abnormalities
Alcohol Fetal alcohol embryopathy
 Normal physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy may
alter medication effects, resulting in the need to monitor
and, sometimes, adjust therapy.
1. maternal plasma volume, cardiac output, and glomerular
filtration increase by 30% to 50%.
2. As body fat increases during pregnancy.
3. Plasma albumin concentration decreases.
MATERNAL PHARMACOKINETIC
CHANGES IN PREGNANCY
4. Nausea and vomiting, as well as delayed gastric emptying,
may alter the absorption of drugs.
5. Likewise, a pregnancy-induced increase in gastric pH may
affect the absorption of weak acids and bases.
6. Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone alter liver enzyme
activity and increase the elimination of some drugs but result
in accumulation of others.
 A teratogen is defined as any agent that results in structural or
functional abnormalities in the fetus, or in the child after birth,
as a consequence of maternal exposure during pregnancy.
 The teratogenic mechanism for most drugs remains
unclear(idiosyncratic), but may be due to the direct effects of
the drug on the fetus and/or as a consequence of indirect
physiological changes in the mother or fetus.
Teratogen
 Teratogenic risk is determined largely by timing of drug expo-
sure.
 Establishment of full implantation of the fertilized egg takes 1
to 2 weeks.
 Teratogenic exposure during this stage elicit an ‘all-or-nothing’
response, leading either to death of the embryo or completely
normal development of the fetus.
Pathophysiology
• Embryonic stage (weeks 3-8 post-conception)
 The critical time for organogenesis is during the first 8 weeks
of pregnancy.
 Organogenesis occurs predominantly during the embryonic
stage and, with the exception of the central nervous system,
eyes, teeth, external genitalia and ears, is complete by the
end of the 10th week of pregnancy.
 Exposure to drugs during this critical period therefore
represents the greatest risk of major birth defects.
 For this reason, women are often advised to avoid or
minimize all drug use in the first trimester whenever
possible.
 After 8 weeks, most teratogenic effects are related to fetal
growth restriction or functional deficits such as mental
retardation.
FDA Drug Categories Used in
Pregnancy
 Category A:
 Adequate studies in human demonstrate no risk.
 Category B:
 Animal studies indicate no risk, but there are no
adequate studies in human.
 Animal studies show adverse effects, but adequate
studies in human have not demonstrated a risk.
 Category C:
 A potential risk, when:
Animal studies have been performed or,
Animal studies indicated adverse effects and,
There are no data from human studies.
 These drugs may be used when potential benefits
outweigh the potential risks.
 Category D:
 There is evidence of human fetal risk, but the potential benefits
to the mother may be acceptable.
 Category X:
 Studies in animals or humans show adverse reaction reports or
both have demonstrated fetal abnormalities.
 The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any
possible benefit.
DRUGS CATEGORY
Analgesics and antipyretics B and C
Acetaminophen B
Aspirin B
Phenacetin C
Antiemetics B and C
Antibiotics B,C and D
Penicillin,ampicillin,amoxicillin B
Cephalosporin B
Erythromycin B
Gentamycin C
Streptomycin ,Tetracycline D
Metronidazole B
Commonly used drugs and their categories
DRUGS CATEGORY
Antimalarial C
Antifungal C
Antitubercular B and C
Ethambutol B
Rifampicin C
Pyrizinamide C
Vitamin B,C,D,E and folic acid A
Local anesthesia
 Local anesthesia are not teratogenic, and may
administered to pregnancy patient is usual clinical doses.
 Large dose of prilocaine are know to cause
methemoglobinemia which could cause maternal & fetal
hypoxia.
Vasoconstrictors
 Local vasoconstriction
 Delay uptake from the site of injection
 Increase the effectiveness & duration
 There is no specific contraindication to these vasoconstrictors
in a pregnant patient although it is prudent to use minimal
effective dose.
Antibiotics
Penicillin
 FDAB
 All trimester are safe
 No teratogenic
 Pass the placenta
 Inhibit cell wall synthesis
Tetracycline
 Contraindication
 Chelation with calcium & deposited in the skeleton of the
fetus resulting in depression of bone growth
 Discoloration
 Maternal fatty liver degeneration
 FDAD
Chloramphenicol
 Bone marrow depression irreversible aplastic anemia
agranulocytosis
 FDAC
 Gray-baby syndrome
Aminoglycoside
 Ototoxicity
 Nephrotoxity
 FDAD
Acetaminophen
 No teratogenesis
 Most frequency used
 Analgesic and antipyretic but no anti-inflammation
activity
Aspirin
 Oral clefts and other defects
 Intrauterine death,growth retardation,pulmonary
hypertention
 Longer pregnancies & longer the average period of labor
 Tetralogy of Fallot (Raot, RVhyperatrophy,Vsep
def,Pula.steno)
 Increase the risk of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage.
NSAID
 Contraindication
 Inhibit synthesis of postaglandins.
 Constrict the ductus arteriosus & persistent pulmonary
hypertension & increase mortality
 All of them are category D in the third trimester.
Corticosteroid
 Cleft palate
 Inhibit brain growth
 Indicated only for treatment of severe systemic maternal
illness (e.g. RA)
Sedative agents
 Barbiturates
 Anxiolytic agents
 Inhalational sedative
Barbiturates
 Cross the placental membrane
 Cleft palate-lip
Anxiolytic agents
 Diazepam
 Cleft lip and palate
 Chronic diazepam user- tremors in infants
 Accumulate in the tissue of fetus
Inhalation sedatives
 Increase the rate of spontanous abortion in chronic
exposed persons
 Vit-B12cofactor of foliate metabolism
 Foliate metabolism-thymidine formation (DNA base)
 N2Ooxidase Vit-B12
Dental Management of Pregnant
Patient
 Elective treatment: it can be postponed easily for the pregnant
patient after parturition.
 However, emergency care should be taken into consideration.
 The best method of treatment is to eliminate source of
pain.
 Thus for removal of caries, an infected pulp or tooth,
surgical procedure should be done under small doses of
local anesthetics to minimize use of systemic drugs.
 Dental procedures are best performed in 2nd trimester for
benefit of fetus and optimal comfort of pregnant women.
 1st trimester: it is roughly 12–13 weeks.
 In this first 12 days from conception to implantation known
as ‘preimplantation period’, exposure to harmful drugs can
kill the embryo.
 From the 13th day, there is period of organogenesis and so
the fetus is susceptible to insult and injury resulting in
malformation.
 2nd and 3rd trimester: after completion of organogenesis,
 there is considerable growth and development of existing
structures like teeth, bones, CNS, endocrine, genitals and immune
system.
 Malformation is less in II and III trimester but drug like
streptomycin can still be harmful
 causing retardation of physical and mental growth, premature
labor or neonatal toxicity.
 The adverse effect of drugs on the fetus is dependant on the drug
and the phase of pregnancy in which the drug is administrated.
 Preventive dental prophylaxis: preventive dental prophylaxis
should be undertaken at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd
trimester.
 Radiographs: radiographs are contraindicated in all but
emergency situation, when taken lead shielding is mandatory.
 Reduce chair time: prolonged chair time must be avoided to
prevent supine hypotension.
 Position: sitting up position is best for patient since low head
position may cause pressure on vena cava and aorta in 2nd
trimester
 Fainting: in case of fainting, place patient on left side with
legs and head elevated. Oxygen and lime juice with glucose
could be given and vital sign monitored.
Guidelines for Prescribed Drugs in
Pregnancy
 Don’t use drug unless it is absolute necessary— use drug in
pregnant patient only when it is absolutely necessary.
 Ruling out possibility of pregnancy— rule out possibility of
pregnancy in every female of reproductive age group and
restrict drug usage.
 Risk and benefit ratio— prioritize drug usage in the situation
and avoid drug usage if the non-usage can do i.e. risk Vs
benefit ratio should be calculated.
 Lower doses— use lower than usual doses of drug if necessary
for short term.
THANK YOU

Drugs used in pregnancy

  • 1.
    DRUGS USED IN PREGNANCY UNDERTHE GUIDANCE OF: DR. ANSHUL AGARWAAL SUBMITTED BY: MOHAMMAD ZUBAIR ANSARI
  • 2.
    Introduction  Drug useduring pregnancy and lactation requires special consideration because both the mother and the child are affected.  Few drugs are considered safe, and drug use is generally contraindicated.  Many pregnant or lactating women take drugs for acute or chronic disorders or habitual use of alcohol and tobacco.
  • 3.
     Two mainconcerns must be addressed when considering whether to give a drug to pregnant women.  that the drug may be teratogenic  drug can affect near term fetus.  One must always be aware of the teratogenic, toxic or otherwise harmful effects of the drug on the developing fetus.
  • 4.
     The physiologicchanges during pregnancy and the consequent alteration in the pharmacokinetics lead to changes in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.  As a general rule, it is best that no drug should be given during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester as it is period of organogenesis.  Fortunately, most of drugs commonly used in dentistry are not contraindicated during pregnancy.  Tetracycline and streptomycin are notably exceptions.
  • 5.
    Pregnancy Trimesters  Firsttrimester: in this trimester, different body organs in the fetus are forming.  It is most critical time for teratogenicity.  Dental prophylaxis with detailed instructions and a visual examination of the oral cavity without X-rays should be performed if the patient is pregnant.  Elective dental treatment should be avoided in the morning as women may feel nauseated in the morning.
  • 6.
     Second trimester:it is an excellent time for the patient to undergo dental prophylaxis if needed.  The patient’s periodontal status should be carefully evaluated during this period.
  • 7.
     Third trimester:the women begin to feel uncomfortable and it is difficult for her to lie in prone position for long period time.  Drugs that may affect the newborn should not be given during this trimester.  Positioning of patient on dental chair can cause hypotension due to compression of gravid uterus on the inferior vena cava,resulting in syncope.  Stress can precipitate premature labor.  Due to hormonal changes, gingival tissue shows exaggerated response to local irritants.
  • 8.
    Pharmacokinetics in Pregnancy Drug absorption: high circulating levels of progesterone slow the gastric emptying as well as gut motility resulting in slower drug absorption.  Parenteral drug administration is preferred in order to obtain a quick response.  Drug compliance may be poor because of nausea and fear of adverse effect.
  • 9.
     Drug metabolism:hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes are induced during pregnancy probably by high concentration of circulating progesterone.  This can lead to more rapid metabolic degradation especially of highly lipid soluble drugs.
  • 10.
     Drug excretion:during pregnancy the renal plasma flow increases by 100% and glomerular filtration rate by 70%.  Hence, drugs which depend for their elimination mainly on kidney are eliminated more rapidly than in non-pregnant stage, e.g. ampicillin, gentamicin and cephalosporin.
  • 11.
     Increase totalblood volume: there is increased total blood volume, because of increased fluid retention.  This leads to change in cardiac output, blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate.  This results in change in volume of distribution of drug, change in metabolism,  change in absorption, change in excretion of drug,  change in protein binding of drugs and passage of drug through placenta.
  • 12.
     Teratogenicity: itrefers to capacity of a drug to cause fetal abnormalities when administered to pregnant mother.  Drug can affect fetus at three stages, 1. stage of fertilization and implantation 2. stage of organogenesis 3. stage of growth and development
  • 13.
    Drugs Abnormalities Thalidomide Phocomelia Anticancerdrug Multiple defect, Fetal death Tetracycline Discolored and deformed tooth, Retarded bone growth. Phenytoin Craniofacial and limb defect, cleft lip, cleft palate Phenobarbitone Various malformations Carbamazepine CNS defect Retinoids Various abnormalities Alcohol Fetal alcohol embryopathy
  • 14.
     Normal physiologicchanges that occur during pregnancy may alter medication effects, resulting in the need to monitor and, sometimes, adjust therapy. 1. maternal plasma volume, cardiac output, and glomerular filtration increase by 30% to 50%. 2. As body fat increases during pregnancy. 3. Plasma albumin concentration decreases. MATERNAL PHARMACOKINETIC CHANGES IN PREGNANCY
  • 15.
    4. Nausea andvomiting, as well as delayed gastric emptying, may alter the absorption of drugs. 5. Likewise, a pregnancy-induced increase in gastric pH may affect the absorption of weak acids and bases. 6. Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone alter liver enzyme activity and increase the elimination of some drugs but result in accumulation of others.
  • 16.
     A teratogenis defined as any agent that results in structural or functional abnormalities in the fetus, or in the child after birth, as a consequence of maternal exposure during pregnancy.  The teratogenic mechanism for most drugs remains unclear(idiosyncratic), but may be due to the direct effects of the drug on the fetus and/or as a consequence of indirect physiological changes in the mother or fetus. Teratogen
  • 17.
     Teratogenic riskis determined largely by timing of drug expo- sure.  Establishment of full implantation of the fertilized egg takes 1 to 2 weeks.  Teratogenic exposure during this stage elicit an ‘all-or-nothing’ response, leading either to death of the embryo or completely normal development of the fetus. Pathophysiology
  • 18.
    • Embryonic stage(weeks 3-8 post-conception)  The critical time for organogenesis is during the first 8 weeks of pregnancy.  Organogenesis occurs predominantly during the embryonic stage and, with the exception of the central nervous system, eyes, teeth, external genitalia and ears, is complete by the end of the 10th week of pregnancy.  Exposure to drugs during this critical period therefore represents the greatest risk of major birth defects.
  • 19.
     For thisreason, women are often advised to avoid or minimize all drug use in the first trimester whenever possible.  After 8 weeks, most teratogenic effects are related to fetal growth restriction or functional deficits such as mental retardation.
  • 20.
    FDA Drug CategoriesUsed in Pregnancy  Category A:  Adequate studies in human demonstrate no risk.  Category B:  Animal studies indicate no risk, but there are no adequate studies in human.  Animal studies show adverse effects, but adequate studies in human have not demonstrated a risk.
  • 21.
     Category C: A potential risk, when: Animal studies have been performed or, Animal studies indicated adverse effects and, There are no data from human studies.  These drugs may be used when potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.
  • 22.
     Category D: There is evidence of human fetal risk, but the potential benefits to the mother may be acceptable.  Category X:  Studies in animals or humans show adverse reaction reports or both have demonstrated fetal abnormalities.  The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit.
  • 23.
    DRUGS CATEGORY Analgesics andantipyretics B and C Acetaminophen B Aspirin B Phenacetin C Antiemetics B and C Antibiotics B,C and D Penicillin,ampicillin,amoxicillin B Cephalosporin B Erythromycin B Gentamycin C Streptomycin ,Tetracycline D Metronidazole B Commonly used drugs and their categories
  • 24.
    DRUGS CATEGORY Antimalarial C AntifungalC Antitubercular B and C Ethambutol B Rifampicin C Pyrizinamide C Vitamin B,C,D,E and folic acid A
  • 25.
    Local anesthesia  Localanesthesia are not teratogenic, and may administered to pregnancy patient is usual clinical doses.  Large dose of prilocaine are know to cause methemoglobinemia which could cause maternal & fetal hypoxia.
  • 26.
    Vasoconstrictors  Local vasoconstriction Delay uptake from the site of injection  Increase the effectiveness & duration  There is no specific contraindication to these vasoconstrictors in a pregnant patient although it is prudent to use minimal effective dose.
  • 27.
    Antibiotics Penicillin  FDAB  Alltrimester are safe  No teratogenic  Pass the placenta  Inhibit cell wall synthesis
  • 28.
    Tetracycline  Contraindication  Chelationwith calcium & deposited in the skeleton of the fetus resulting in depression of bone growth  Discoloration  Maternal fatty liver degeneration  FDAD
  • 29.
    Chloramphenicol  Bone marrowdepression irreversible aplastic anemia agranulocytosis  FDAC  Gray-baby syndrome
  • 30.
  • 31.
    Acetaminophen  No teratogenesis Most frequency used  Analgesic and antipyretic but no anti-inflammation activity
  • 32.
    Aspirin  Oral cleftsand other defects  Intrauterine death,growth retardation,pulmonary hypertention  Longer pregnancies & longer the average period of labor  Tetralogy of Fallot (Raot, RVhyperatrophy,Vsep def,Pula.steno)  Increase the risk of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage.
  • 33.
    NSAID  Contraindication  Inhibitsynthesis of postaglandins.  Constrict the ductus arteriosus & persistent pulmonary hypertension & increase mortality  All of them are category D in the third trimester.
  • 34.
    Corticosteroid  Cleft palate Inhibit brain growth  Indicated only for treatment of severe systemic maternal illness (e.g. RA)
  • 35.
    Sedative agents  Barbiturates Anxiolytic agents  Inhalational sedative
  • 36.
    Barbiturates  Cross theplacental membrane  Cleft palate-lip
  • 37.
    Anxiolytic agents  Diazepam Cleft lip and palate  Chronic diazepam user- tremors in infants  Accumulate in the tissue of fetus
  • 38.
    Inhalation sedatives  Increasethe rate of spontanous abortion in chronic exposed persons  Vit-B12cofactor of foliate metabolism  Foliate metabolism-thymidine formation (DNA base)  N2Ooxidase Vit-B12
  • 39.
    Dental Management ofPregnant Patient  Elective treatment: it can be postponed easily for the pregnant patient after parturition.  However, emergency care should be taken into consideration.
  • 40.
     The bestmethod of treatment is to eliminate source of pain.  Thus for removal of caries, an infected pulp or tooth, surgical procedure should be done under small doses of local anesthetics to minimize use of systemic drugs.  Dental procedures are best performed in 2nd trimester for benefit of fetus and optimal comfort of pregnant women.
  • 41.
     1st trimester:it is roughly 12–13 weeks.  In this first 12 days from conception to implantation known as ‘preimplantation period’, exposure to harmful drugs can kill the embryo.  From the 13th day, there is period of organogenesis and so the fetus is susceptible to insult and injury resulting in malformation.
  • 42.
     2nd and3rd trimester: after completion of organogenesis,  there is considerable growth and development of existing structures like teeth, bones, CNS, endocrine, genitals and immune system.  Malformation is less in II and III trimester but drug like streptomycin can still be harmful  causing retardation of physical and mental growth, premature labor or neonatal toxicity.  The adverse effect of drugs on the fetus is dependant on the drug and the phase of pregnancy in which the drug is administrated.
  • 43.
     Preventive dentalprophylaxis: preventive dental prophylaxis should be undertaken at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd trimester.  Radiographs: radiographs are contraindicated in all but emergency situation, when taken lead shielding is mandatory.
  • 44.
     Reduce chairtime: prolonged chair time must be avoided to prevent supine hypotension.  Position: sitting up position is best for patient since low head position may cause pressure on vena cava and aorta in 2nd trimester  Fainting: in case of fainting, place patient on left side with legs and head elevated. Oxygen and lime juice with glucose could be given and vital sign monitored.
  • 45.
    Guidelines for PrescribedDrugs in Pregnancy  Don’t use drug unless it is absolute necessary— use drug in pregnant patient only when it is absolutely necessary.  Ruling out possibility of pregnancy— rule out possibility of pregnancy in every female of reproductive age group and restrict drug usage.
  • 46.
     Risk andbenefit ratio— prioritize drug usage in the situation and avoid drug usage if the non-usage can do i.e. risk Vs benefit ratio should be calculated.  Lower doses— use lower than usual doses of drug if necessary for short term.
  • 47.