Why is taking medication a concern for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
We know that taking certain medications – such as thalidomide, isotretinoin or Accutane? – during pregnancy may cause serious birth defects in the baby. These medications should be avoided by all pregnant women. However, we do not have enough information about the safety of many other medications when they are taken by pregnant women. Women are often told not to use any medications while pregnant. But this is not always possible. A survey in the United States in 1998-99 found that 46% of women in their childbearing years (ages 18 to 44) took a prescription medication during the previous week.1 Many more may use over-the-counter medications. Also, many women take medications before they even know they are pregnant. It is important that we know more about which medications may be harmful during pregnancy and which are not.
