[Antibiotic use in pregnancy. II]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pregnancy necessitates careful consideration of medication safety due to potential risks to both the mother and fetus.
• Antimicrobial agents like tetracyclines are contraindicated in pregnancy due to adverse effects.
• The carcinogenicity of metronidazole in animals is noted, but human data remains inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the safety and efficacy of commonly used antimicrobial and antiviral agents during pregnancy.
• To provide guidance on medication selection for pregnant women, particularly those with infectious diseases like tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies and clinical guidelines on drug use in pregnancy.
• Analysis of data regarding the teratogenic potential and established clinical efficacy of selected medications.
• Focus on agents relevant to prevalent conditions such as tuberculosis and viral infections.

Main Results:

• Tetracyclines are definitively contraindicated in pregnant individuals.
• Metronidazole's carcinogenic potential in humans is not established, despite animal studies.
• Antituberculosis agents are essential for pregnant women with tuberculosis.
• Acyclovir demonstrates clinical efficiency and can be cautiously used during pregnancy.
• Limited data exists on the use of zidovudine in pregnant populations.

Conclusions:

• Medication choices during pregnancy require a risk-benefit assessment, prioritizing fetal and maternal safety.
• Specific agents like tetracyclines should be avoided, while others like acyclovir and antituberculosis drugs require cautious application.
• Further research is needed to clarify the safety profiles of certain drugs, such as zidovudine, in pregnant women.