Perception of benefits and risks by clinical pharmacists regarding utilization of drugs during pregnancy: A narrative review

• Main Authors: Mohammad Ahmadi Tabassum, Sayed Alishar, S Nelson Kumar, Meda Venkata Subbiah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Subjects: clinical pharmacist; education and counseling; illicit drugs; pregnancy
• Online Access: http://www.amhsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2321-4848;year=2020;volume=8;issue=2;spage=247;epage=254;aulast=Tabassum

Pregnancy is a happy and positive experience for women because pregnancy in addition, having a baby is a life-changing event: the body undergoes major changes. There may be considerable discomfort or ill health takes place during pregnancy. Therefore, they face problems about taking medicines. All the illicit drugs are associated with medical complications, but some may lead to severe damage and increases the risk of serious harm to both fetus and for the mother. Drugs have shown to pass into breast milk, so advice the mothers to avoid breastfeeding when using it. There is a need to be cautious in using medication during pregnancy. However, women with lower levels of education tend to use more prescription or illicit drugs, as they do not understand the proper use of medications, which were associated with several adverse teratogenic outcomes. According to World Health Organization, therapeutic use of medication does not cause developmental abnormalities in the fetus or newborns, but abuse does pose risks to the fetus. The provision of health education during pregnancy to be an important aspect of prenatal care. Indulging effective knowledge and counseling impact of clinical pharmacist activities tends to be promoting awareness to all patients receiving drugs during pregnancy as well as providing information on the consequences and potential harm or effects for mothers and for foetuses based on their need. Communicate with the nearby pharmacists, while using medications to avoid accidental damage during pregnancy.