Antibiotics during pregnancy: which ones should be avoided?

Antibiotics are one of the drugs that are often prescribed during pregnancy. Some antibiotics are safe to drink during pregnancy, but some should not be used because they are harmful to the fetus, especially in the first trimester. The safety of antibiotics during pregnancy depends on various factors. For example, the type of antibiotic used, during which trimester the drug was used, how much and how long the antibiotic was used.

New research finds an association between certain antibiotics during pregnancy published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association Journal and the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2017. Possible side effects are birth defects and the risk of miscarriage. The study included an analysis of information on 139,938 live births in Quebec, Canada, between 1998 and 2008.

What types of antibiotics have been studied and should be avoided during pregnancy? The following is the complete information.

Antibiotics during pregnancy that need to be avoided

1. Tetracycline group

Antibiotics that are included in the tetracycline group are tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline. Tetracyclines when used during pregnancy will inhibit the production of certain types of protein and interfere with the production of enzymes that are important in tissue rearrangement and changes in the shape of the endometrium (the inner muscle of the uterus).

This antibiotic drug is usually used to treat bacterial infections, including acne. Therefore, tell your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this prescription drug.

2. Quinolone group

There are many members of the antibiotic in the quinolone class, for example ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and moxifloxacin. Quinolone class of antibiotics can inhibit the process of cell growth and division and this can affect the risk of miscarriage. In this study also found that exposure to moxifloxacin was associated with an increase in respiratory system defects in the fetus.

Quinolone class antibiotics are most often prescribed to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs).

3. Macrolide group

Antibiotics studied and included in the macrolide class are azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin. In the above study, when the investigators limited the analysis to pregnancies with respiratory tract infections, they found that the use of macrolides (except erythromycin) increased the incidence of miscarriage when compared to the antibiotic penicillin drug.

4. Sulfonamide group

The sulfonamide class of antibiotics has well-known types of drugs, namely trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole. In pregnancy, this drug is used to treat urinary tract infections. However, this drug is also often used to get rid of acne.

Fortunately, there is another antibiotic that can be used as an alternative for the above purposes and does not pose a risk of miscarriage, namely nitrofurantoin.

5. Metronidazole

Metronidazole should not be given in the first trimester of pregnancy. This drug can be used to treat various types of diseases, including trichomoniasis, vaginal bacterial infections, to pneumonia.

6. Clindamycin

Clindamycin is a member of the antibiotic class lycosamide or lincomycin. Exposure to clindamycin and also ofloxacin (quinolone group) was associated with an increased incidence of birth defects.

7.Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)

Penicillin V exposure was not associated with an increased risk of birth defects and congenital heart disease, but penicillin V exposure through the uterus (womb) was associated with an increased risk of nervous system defects in the fetus.

Therefore, pay close attention if you have a bacterial infection and are prescribed antibiotics while pregnant. Always tell your doctor if you are pregnant and don't hesitate to ask the doctor directly about the side effects of treatment given to the health of the baby and the womb.