Child Health A-Z

Medications and Pregnancy

The risks involved with medication use during pregnancy:

When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.

Women who take medications for pre-existing medical conditions, such as epilepsy or high blood pressure, should always check with their physicians before continuing to use that medication while pregnant.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing its regulation of drugs for pregnant women. Unfortunately, there is little scientific information available about the effects of many medications on a pregnancy.

Last Update
February 3, 2008

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