Prescribing Guidelines for ENT Medications during Pregnancy

Abstract

Profound physiologic changes occur during pregnancy, and they can alter the pharmacodynamics of an administered drug. Almost 85% of women take at least one prescription medication during a pregnancy. Nearly every drug administered to a mother crosses the placenta, and fetal drug levels can reach 50 to 100% of maternal serum concentrations. Because many otolaryngologic conditions are associated with pregnancy, it is essential that otolaryngologists who care for gravid patients know which drugs are safe and avoid unnecessary prescriptions so that the best care can be delivered to the pregnant patient without harming her unborn child. In this article, we discuss the relative safety and efficacy of various types of drugs frequently prescribed for pregnant women by otolaryngologists.