Drug utilization study during pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health

Background:

• The thalidomide disaster significantly influenced drug registration policies in developed nations.
• Understanding medication use during pregnancy is critical for maternal and fetal health.
• Previous data on prescription drug prevalence throughout pregnancy is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the rate of drug prescription during pregnancy.
• To identify the most frequently used drug classes across different trimesters.
• To analyze trends in medication use from pre-conception through the third trimester.

Main Methods:

• A systematic hand search identified 2389 women delivering between September 1993 and June 1994.
• Drug exposure data was collected via interviews post-delivery and hospital records.
• Mothers' drug intake was cross-referenced with the Australian Classification of Drugs for pregnancy risks.

Main Results:

• The overall prescription rate escalated from 15% in the two months prior to pregnancy to an average of 65.66% during pregnancy.
• First trimester: Blood-forming drugs, vitamins, hormones, anxiolytics, antibiotics, and GI drugs were most common.
• Second and third trimesters: Blood-forming drugs, vitamins, anti-infectives, anxiolytics, tocolytics, and antihypertensives were frequently used, with antithrombotics noted in the third trimester.

Conclusions:

• Medication use dramatically increases during pregnancy, necessitating careful monitoring.
• Specific drug classes are consistently prevalent across trimesters, indicating common therapeutic needs.
• Further research into the safety and necessity of these commonly prescribed drugs during pregnancy is warranted.