Adverse Effects of Various Anti-Nausea Medications on the Fetus during Pregnancy

Arina Yulistara |
Haibunda

Saturday, 25 March 2023 07:10 WIB

Jakarta –

Pregnant women may take anti-nausea medication to reduce stomach discomfort, especially during the first trimester. Until when can Mother take anti-nausea drugs during pregnancy and is there any effect on the fetus?

Many women experience nausea to vomiting or so-called morning sickness which is an early symptom of pregnancy. Even some women experience nausea during their pregnancy.

Miscellaneous anti-nausea drugs during pregnancy

According to the UK’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), four out of five pregnant people experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Nausea from being pregnant can strike all day long.

Of course this nausea makes Mother uncomfortable when on the move. Therefore, RCOG emphasizes the importance of proper care to treat nausea during pregnancy.

Can pregnant women take anti-nausea medicine? Let’s discuss the sundries of taking nausea medication during pregnancy and its side effects on the fetus.

Is it safe for pregnant women to take anti-nausea medication?

As long as it is prescribed by a doctor, it is considered safe. Mothers can take anti-nausea drugs when they have tried natural kitchen ingredients to reduce these symptoms.

“While in low cases it may be possible to receive non-prescription treatments such as natural foods and ginger. More severe symptoms usually require help in the form of medication,” said Jonathan Schaffir, MD, a professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University College of Medicine.

So, anti-nausea drugs are safe for pregnant women.

“If other medical conditions are ruled out, certain medications may be given to treat nausea and vomiting. You and your obstetrician can discuss all of these factors to determine the treatment,” he wrote American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in full.

Schaffir said there are several anti-nausea drugs that can be used in pregnancy. One of them pyridoxine and doxylamine.

“The drug that has been studied the most and has been shown to be safe (during pregnancy) is the combination of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and doxylaminewhich is available without a prescription,” says Dr. Schaffir.

There are also possible side effects in pregnant women, including drowsiness, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, digestive problems, muscle aches, and rashes.

Furthermore, Schaffir also said that there are other antihistamines, such as promethazine Also safe during pregnancy. Promethazine it is classified as a category C pregnancy drug. This means that side effects have appeared in animal testing, but there have not been enough human studies to confirm complications during pregnancy.

Therefore, Mother may only consume promethazine during pregnancy if advised by a doctor. Then there is ondansetron which helps with nausea in pregnancy.

Until when can pregnant women take anti-nausea medication?

Pregnant women can take anti-nausea medication as long as it is prescribed by a doctor and in the right dosage. However, the duration of using anti-nausea drugs must be adjusted to the type of drug used.

For example, anti-nausea drugs such as doxylamine and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is often recommended for pregnant women who experience nausea and vomiting. This drug is considered relatively safe and can be used during pregnancy.

However, anti-nausea drugs containing ondansetron (Zofran) should be used with caution and in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations because there have been several reports of side effects on the fetus when used in high doses or for a long time.

“The use of ondansetron in early pregnancy has come under increasing scrutiny recently due to conflicting reports of an increase in certain birth defects. This relationship has not been proven at all, but because of the uncertainty, many nurses avoid these drugs until after the first two months of pregnancy,” said Dr. .Schafir.

Before choosing to take nausea medication, pregnant women can also try non-drug strategies. For example, by eating small but frequent meals, avoiding foods that trigger nausea, and relaxation.

Click on the next page to find out if there are any side effects to the baby if pregnant women take anti-nausea medication.

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Also watch a video about the 5 benefits and safe doses of ginger for pregnant women:

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