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. 2010 Dec 29:26–455. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-07151-5.50005-6

Table 3.130.

Drugs to avoid in pregnant mothers*

Drug Potential effects on fetus
Aciclovir (systemic) Teratogenicity?
Alcohol Fetal alcohol syndrome
Aspirin

  • Premature closure of ductus arteriosus

  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension

  • Bleeding tendency
Carbamazepine

  • Neural tube defects

  • Vitamin K impairment and bleeding tendency
Carbimazole Goitre
Cocaine Ankyloglossia
Codeine Respiratory depression
Corticosteroids

  • Adrenal suppression

  • Growth retardation
Co-trimoxazole

  • Haemolysis

  • Teratogenicity

  • Methaemoglobinaemia
Diazepam Cleft lip/palate
Felypressin Oxytocic
Fluconazole Congenital anomalies
Gentamicin Deafness
Lithium Cardiac abnormalities
Nitrous oxide (repeated large doses) Congenital anomalies
NSAIDs

  • Premature closure of ductus arteriosus

  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension

  • Bleeding tendency
Pentazocine Fetal addiction and withdrawal symptoms
Phenytoin Fetal phenytoin syndrome
Prilocaine Methaemoglobinaemia
Retinoids Neural tube defects
Tetracyclines Discoloured teeth and bones
Thalidomide Phocomelia
Valproate Neural tube defects
Vancomycin Toxicity (monitor levels)
Warfarin

  • Long bone and cartilage abnormalities

  • Bleeding tendency
*

Drugs of abuse may cause neonatal addiction.