Medication

[Han_cam]

For a preassignment in our maternity class we are assigned a medication. The goal is to find indications, effects, etc that this drug has in a pregnant individual. I have a drug book and David drug guide online but was wondering if there was a resource that was specific to drugs and their effects during pregnancy.

I ask because most resources are generic and say something along the lines of checking with a physician before using if pregnant or nursing.

[I<3Nursing]

when I was nursing I asked the pharmacy and they did have a special book....but with drugs you should be looking for the "pregnancy classification" that's in all drug books.

[Han_cam]

Hmmm... I did look at the classification you mentioned but it had a very brief description about if the drug was tested in pregnant women/animals, am I missing something?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

I think you're looking for the FDA pregnancy categories, listed here: FDA Pregnancy Categories - CHEMM

For specific side effects/potential consequences posed to pregnant women and/or the developing fetus, you will likely need to look more in-depth (either online, in a textbook, at a study, or at reported/investigative evidence) to find that information as most drug books won't go into that kind of detail.

[annabanana2]

This is where I went for that information when I was in nursing school: The Hospital for Sick Children - Motherisk - Drugs in Pregnancy. Hopefully using a Canadian source is okay for you?