Antibiotics during Pregnancy

 

 

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Because of various infections, the need to place pregnant women on antibiotics may arise. While this listing is necessarily incomplete due to space considerations, it will give you a guide to selecting antibiotics for these women.

Penicillins

Safe during pregnancy.

Cephalosporins

Safe during pregnancy.

Erythromycin

Safe during pregnancy.

Azithromycin

Safe during pregnancy.

Tetracycline(incl. doxy)

UNSAFE AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.

Metronidazole

Safe after 14 weeks. Avoid single-dose therapy. Safety prior to 14 weeks not well-established.

Aminoglycosides

Basically safe during pregnancy, but renal and ototoxicity are potential problems if the dose is high or prolonged.

Clindamycin

Safe during pregnancy.

Chloramphenicol

Probably safe prior to 28 weeks

Sulfa drugs

Safe prior to 34 weeks. After that, babies may develop jaundice if exposed to sulfa.

Quinine

Only to be used in life-threatening, chloroquine-resistant P. Falciparum infections

Miconazole

Safe during pregnancy.

Clotrimazole

Safe during pregnancy.

Quinacrine

Probably safe during pregnancy.

Chloroquine

With prolonged or high doses may cause congenital defects.

Pyrimethamine

Safe after 1st trimester. Add folic acid supplement.

Trimethoprim

Safe after 1st trimester. Add folic acid supplement.

Primaquine

May cause hemolytic anemia in the presence of G6PD deficiency. You may use it if needed.

OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
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