Pregnancy is one of the most challenging periods in a woman’s life. A little mishap, such as taking the wrong prescription medications, and the expecting mum could lose her unborn child. Worse yet, both mom and baby may die.
Therefore, it’s essential to exercise great care while administering pregnancy pills. You might also consider conducting DNA tests upon delivery to ascertain that your pregnancy medications did not interfere with the genetic makeup of your new bundle of joy. The good news is that numerous reputable clinics offer affordable DNA testing Dallas TX.
This post looks at some of the drugs commonly prescribed for expecting mothers and the various conditions these medications may treat.
Commonly Prescribed Drugs During Pregnancy
Flagyl
Generic Name – Metronidazole
Formulations – 250 mg and 500 mg tablets
Usage
Flagyl is one of the most commonly prescribed pregnancy medications, especially for younger women in their earlier semesters. The drug can treat a wide variety of medical conditions. However, it’s usually administered for bacterial infections, such as bacterial septicemia.
Flagyl can also be effective at combating bone and joint pain and diseases of the lower respiratory tract and central nervous system (CNS).
The standard dosage for Flagyl is 7.5 mg/kg every 6 hours, and a prescription generally lasts between seven and ten days.
Zithromax Rx
Generic Name – Azithromycin
Formulations – 250 mg, 500 mg, and 600 mg tablets.
Usage
Like Flagyl, Zithromax is highly effective against a wide range of bacterial infections during pregnancy. Examples include acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), otitis media, tonsillitis, urethritis, cervicitis, and community-acquired pneumonia.
The drug has also demonstrated a promise for treating bacterial skin infections and prophylaxis of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.
Doses range from 250 mg once a day to 1g once a day, depending on the specific conditions being treated.
Amoxicillin
Generic Name – Amoxicillin
Formulations – 250 mg and 500 mg capsules
Usage
Amoxicillin is another prescription drug that needs no introduction, especially among expecting moms. The medicine is commonly prescribed for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections. It may also help with urinary tract infection, which is very common in pregnant women.
Other common amoxicillin uses include treating lower respiratory infections, acute gonorrhea, and certain skin conditions.
Amoxicillin doses generally depend on the condition being treated. For instance, 250 mg every 8 hours is ideal for ENT, skin, and urinary tract infections. Lower respiratory infections require 500 mg every 8 hours, whereas 3g would effectively combat acute gonorrhea.
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Macrobid Rx
Generic Name – Nitrofurantoin
Formulations – 100 mg capsules
Usage
Macrobid is prescribed almost exclusively for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The drug may also relieve mild body aches and pains, including headaches and muscle and joint pains.
Macrobid is one of the pregnancy drugs that must be taken with meals. The standard dosage is 100 mg every 12 hours for up to seven days.
Promethazine
Generic Name – Phenergan
Formulations – 25 mg and 50 mg tablets, syrup, or elixir
Usage
Promethazine is an antiemetic drug that can help control nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The medication is also a powerful sedative and may help to relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Some physicians also prescribe Promethazine for treating allergies like hay fever. The drug is particularly effective if used alongside other anaphylaxis medications.
Motion sickness and hemolytic disease of the newborn are other notable medical conditions you may treat or prevent using Promethazine.
Precautions to Take While Using Prescription Medications During Pregnancy
Prescription drugs may help in treating various ailments during pregnancy. However, these medications are by no means risk-free.
For starters, there are always negative reactions to beware of. Common adverse effects associated with the prescription mentioned above meds include;
- Nausea, which might lead to vomiting
- Diarrhea, which (together with vomiting) might cause dehydration
- Constipation
- Abdominal cramping
- Fatigue and drowsiness
Some medications might cause seizures in the expecting mom or even the unborn baby’s death, significantly if overdosed. That underscores the importance of using prescription meds just as your physician prescribes.
It’s also prudent to understand how different drugs may interact during pregnancy. Again, that’s an area you could benefit immensely by consulting your doctor.
Can You Use Controlled Substances During Pregnancy?
Statistics indicate a growing number of expecting moms using narcotics and other controlled substances—nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine- rank among pregnant women’s most commonly abused substances.
Unfortunately, these substances can cause a broad spectrum of health issues. Narcotics are a leading cause of preterm births, miscarriages, and fetal mortality.
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Final Word
Pregnant women can use a wide spectrum of drugs to treat various pregnancy-related ailments.
But as we’ve seen throughout this post, such medications must only be administered upon obtaining a prescription from a licensed doctor.
