Sunday, 10 February 2019

Antibiotics to be used with caution in Pregnancy




Trimethoprim can be used in women if she has no folate deficiency or if she is not using folate antagonists. Trimethoprim can be given with folic acid to avoid neural tube defects in fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. Trimethoprim cannot be used repeatedly (within three months) due to recurrent infections resistant to this drug.
Co-amoxiclav which is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid can be tolerated well in pregnancy. Nitrofurantoin can be used in women if she is not glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficient, if G6PD deficient then infant has chance of hemolysis if used near term, so it is not recommended to use during third trimester of pregnancy. The tablet formulation of nitrofurantoin can be better tolerated. Other formulation that is microcrystalline powder filled capsules as twice daily modified release can be used as an alternative if there is nausea.
Second generation cephalosporins are not well absorbed orally and are more expensive than first generation cephalosporins and have more gastrointestinal side effects, so are used only when specifically indicated.
Third generation cephalosporins are only used parenterally and are reserved for use in hospital settings.
Pivmecillinam is not known to be teratogenic but is not recommended to be used in pregnancy because of insufficient safety data available.

No comments:

Post a Comment