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Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
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Teratogenicity

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The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

Physiological Barriers

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

[Drugs in pregnancy].

N Danchev, A Astrug, V Tsankova

Akusherstvo I Ginekologiia

|February 5, 2008

Summary

This review discusses drug use during pregnancy, covering how physiological and drug factors affect drug processing in the body. It provides a classification of drugs based on fetal effects and offers recommendations for safer medication choices.

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Obstetrics
Teratology

Context:

Drug administration during pregnancy presents unique challenges due to physiological changes in the mother and potential effects on fetal development.
Understanding drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is crucial for safe and effective treatment during gestation.

Purpose:

To review the impact of physiological and drug-specific factors on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion during pregnancy.
To present an updated classification of drugs based on their potential effects on the fetus.
To highlight drugs commonly used for acute and chronic conditions in pregnancy, including those for symptomatic relief, and to identify known teratogenic agents.

Summary:

The review examines how maternal physiological changes and drug characteristics (e.g., physicochemical properties, dose, duration) influence drug disposition.

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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

It details a current classification system for drugs regarding their safety profiles in pregnancy and their impact on fetal development.

Key drug classes such as antibiotics, cardiovascular, and psychotropic medications, along with agents for pain, fever, and constipation, are discussed, alongside drugs with documented teratogenic effects.

Impact:

Provides healthcare professionals with essential information for making informed decisions regarding pharmacotherapy in pregnant patients.
Contributes to minimizing adverse drug events and improving pregnancy outcomes by guiding the selection of safer medications.
Enhances the understanding of drug safety in pregnancy, supporting evidence-based clinical practice and patient counseling.