[An update in drug use during pregnancy: risk classification]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Drug Safety
• Regulatory Science

Context:

• The classification of drug safety during pregnancy is critical for maternal and fetal well-being.
• Existing systems, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Advisory Committee on Prescription Medicines (ACPM), aim to guide this classification.
• Understanding the concordance between these systems is essential for healthcare providers.

Purpose:

• To compare and evaluate the degree of conformity between the FDA and ACPM pregnancy drug categorization systems.
• To identify discrepancies in drug safety classifications during pregnancy between the two regulatory bodies.

Summary:

• A review of 270 medications commonly used during pregnancy was conducted.
• Pregnancy categories were assigned according to both FDA and ACPM guidelines.
• Only 70.2% of the 232 drugs categorized by both systems showed agreement, indicating significant discrepancies.

Impact:

• Discrepancies between FDA and ACPM pregnancy drug categories can lead to prescribing confusion and potentially impact patient safety.
• Further research and standardization efforts are needed to minimize these differences.
• Improved clarity in drug safety information is crucial for safe medication use in pregnant individuals.