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Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture
Published on: August 4, 2023
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Prescribing for the pregnant patient
Niharika Mehta1, Kenneth Chen2, Raymond O Powrie3
1Assistant Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University and Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence nmehta@wihri.org.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
|June 4, 2014
Summary
Prescribing medications during pregnancy is complex due to limited safety data and risk overestimation. This guide offers practical strategies for selecting the safest drug treatments for expectant mothers.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Prescribing medications during pregnancy presents significant challenges for healthcare providers.
- Limited data on drug safety in pregnancy contributes to clinical uncertainty.
- Overestimation of medication risks by patients and providers, alongside rising litigation concerns, complicates treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline essential considerations for prescribing medications to pregnant patients.
- To provide practical guidance for selecting the safest pharmacologic options during gestation.
- To address the complexities of medication use in pregnancy for improved patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on drug safety in pregnancy.
- Synthesis of key concepts relevant to prescribing practices.
- Development of practical advice for medication selection.
Main Results:
- Identification of critical factors influencing prescribing decisions in pregnancy.
- Framework for evaluating the risk-benefit profile of medications.
- Strategies for mitigating potential adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- Informed prescribing in pregnancy requires careful consideration of available evidence and potential risks.
- Practical guidance can empower providers to make safer medication choices for pregnant individuals.
- Addressing provider and patient perceptions of risk is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy during gestation.
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