Expectant moms make every effort to ensure they remain strong and healthy throughout pregnancy. They take care of their diet and make sure they take vitamins.
What can you read in this article?
- Antibiotics that can cause miscarriage
- Drugs that can cause miscarriage or birth defects
- Other medicines that can cause miscarriage
Moms-to-be are also aware that they’re more prone to bacterial infections such as Urinary Tract Infection, which is commonly treated with antibiotics.
Though recent research out of the University of Montreal has tried to change the commonly held belief that antibiotics aren’t safe for pregnant women, new research from the same institution is claiming that the use of antibiotics during pregnancy has been linked to a higher risk of miscarriage or spontaneous abortions during early pregnancy.
“Although antibiotic use to treat infections has been linked to a decreased risk of prematurity and low birth weight in other studies, our investigation shows that certain types of antibiotics are increasing the risk of spontaneous abortion, with a 60% to two-fold increased risk,” study author Dr. Anick Berard said in a statement.
Let’s take a closer look at the type of antibiotics they analyzed in the study.
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Antibiotics that can cause miscarriage
Researchers from the Universite de Montreal discovered that the use of various antibiotics: macrolides (excluding erythromycin), quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, and metronidazole were linked to an increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy, with the increased risk ranging from 65 percent to more than twofold. Norfloxacin, a quinolone antibiotic, was linked to a nearly fivefold increase in risk.
Antibiotic exposure meant having completed at least 1 prescription for any type of antibiotic mentioned above either between the 1st day of gestation and the date of miscarriage or before pregnancy but with a duration that overlapped the 1st day of gestation.
Exposure to nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, penicillin, and cephalosporins was not connected to increased miscarriage risk.
1. Macrolides: Erythromycin, Zithromax
Erithromycin, for instance, is an anti-bacterial used to treat conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia and whooping cough.
2. Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat lower respiratory tract and skin infections. These medicines may affect the baby’s muscle and skeletal development, as well as the mother’s joint pain and probable nerve damage, thus potentially causing miscarriage.
Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are both fluoroquinolones antibiotics. This kind has been linked to an increased incidence of aortic rips and ruptures. There is a risk of life-threatening bleeding as a result of this. People who have had aneurysms or certain heart disorders may be more susceptible to negative effects.
3. Sulfonamides: Co-Trimoxazole
Otherwise known as “sulfa drugs,” they were initially used to treat bacterial infections. They are also prescribed to treat allergies, fungi, and malaria.
4. Metronidazole
This anti-bacteria and anti-parasitic medication is commonly prescribed for those who have amoebiasis. Because of the risk of harm to the fetus, metronidazole is not recommended during early pregnancy.
Researchers behind a study clarified that they are not out to discourage the use of antibiotics, but that pregnant women should be vigilant in keeping themselves informed and their doctors updated on any change in their health and condition in order to make sure they have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
They also included tetracylines, which are broad-spectrum antibiotics. They also found that the average gestational age during miscarriage was 14 weeks. Researchers took into account other details, such as the women’s age, medical history (including past infections), and their civil status.
5. Chlorampenicol
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that is commonly administered as a shot. This medication has the potential to cause major blood problems as well as gray baby syndrome. It is used to treat bacterial meningitis and other diseases. When other antibiotics, such as penicillin, fail to treat an illness, some doctors recommend this medication.
6. Trimethoprim (Primsol)
Trimethoprim (Primsol) is also a kind of antibiotic. This medicine can induce neural tube abnormalities if taken during pregnancy. These abnormalities impact brain development in a newborn.
Other medicine that can cause miscarriage
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READ MORE:
What To Do After A Miscarriage: Healing, Care And Precautions
Primaquine
Primaquine is a medicine that’s used to treat malaria. There isn’t a lot of evidence on individuals who’ve taken this medicine during pregnancy, but animal research suggests it’s detrimental to developing fetuses. It can harm a fetus’ blood cells.
Codeine
Codeine is a prescription medication used to ease pain. In some states, codeine can be acquired without a prescription as a cough medication. The medicine has the potential to become habit-forming. In babies, it might cause withdrawal symptoms.
Clonazepam: Klonopin
Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a drug that is used to treat seizures and panic attacks. It’s sometimes used to treat panic attacks and anxiety attacks. This drug might cause withdrawal symptoms in infants if taken during pregnancy.
Lorazepam: Ativan
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a common medicine used for anxiety or other mental health conditions. It can cause birth defects or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a baby after birth.
Ibuprofen: Advil, Motrin
High dosages of this OTC pain medication can create several significant complications which include:
- Delayed labor
- Jaundice
- Hemmorhage
- Brain damage in your baby
- Abnormal levels of Vit K
- Damage to the intestinal linings
- Premature closing of fetal ductus arteriosus
- Low level of amniotic fluid
Most doctors agree that taking ibuprofen in moderate dosages during early pregnancy is probably safe. However, avoiding ibuprofen during the third trimester of pregnancy is extremely critical. The medicine is more likely to cause cardiac abnormalities in a developing infant during this time of pregnancy.
Warfarin: Coumodin
Warfarin (Coumadin) is a blood thinner that’s used to treat blood clots as well as prevent them. It has the potential to cause birth abnormalities. However, if the risk of a blood clot is greater than the risk of injury to the baby, it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Drugs that can cause miscarriage or birth defects
There are also drugs that can cause birth defects, aside from drugs that can cause miscarriage. They are called teratogenic drugs.
- Isotretinoin, an acne medication (such as Amnesteem and Claravis)
- High doses of Vit A
- Lithium is used to treat bipolar depression.
- Some drugs that treat certain rheumatic conditions
- Thalidomide
- Methotrexate is used to treat arthritis.
- Some cancer-fighting medications
- Alprazolam such as Xanax and other medicines for anxiety
- Some thyroid medications
- ACE inhibitors, such as benazepril and lisinopril which lower blood pressure.
- Valproic acid and some medicines to control seizures
- Some anticonvulsant medications
Medical science cannot always predict how exposure to a teratogenic drug will affect a fetus. The risk of injury is determined by a number of factors, including:
- Type of drug
- Dosage
- How often it is taken
- Gestational age during drug exposure
- Response of the fetus to the drug upon exposure
- Other issues such as maternal diet or underlying illness
Photo by Alex Green from Pexels
Always consult your doctor about medications
What’s important is to consult your OB-GYNE first before taking any medications other than what is prescribed as safe for you to take during pregnancy. Don’t risk taking medications to relieve pain or symptom in exchange for your safety and your baby’s overall wellbeing.
Healthline, CIDRAP University of Minnesota, Better Health, University of Michigan Health, Medicine Net
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