Chapter 22: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

What are the two main concerns when prescribing drugs to a pregnant/breastfeeding woman? 

• The drug may be teratogenic or capable of causing birth defects 

• The drug can affect the near-term fetus, causing the newborn infant to have an adverse reaction. Ex: Jaundice, Respiratory Depression 

Define teratogenic. What are some drugs that are teratogenic? 

• Terato- “monster” & -gen “producing” 

• Thalidomide, Warfarin, lithium, androgen, ethyl alcohol 

What are the pregnancy categories? Know them from safest to most harmful. 

Category A (safest), B, C, D, X (most harmful) 

What are some medications contraindicated for nursing mothers? 

Isotretinoin

Which local anesthetic is best for a pregnant/nursing mother? Not? 

Lidocaine- Not highly lipid soluble 

How does alcohol affect a fetus? 

Infants show more tremors, hypertonia, restlessness, crying and abnormal reflexes after birth