Caution when taking antibiotics during pregnancy

The article was consulted professionally by Specialist I Pham Thi Yen – Obstetrician and Gynecologist – Share99 Hai Phong International Health Hub.

Pregnancy is a very sensitive time, women should be cautious about using the drug, because there are safe drugs but on the contrary there are drugs that will affect the fetus. So if you have to use antibiotics during pregnancy, how should pregnant women be cautious?

Antibiotics are substances extracted from microorganisms, fungi, synthesized or semi-synthetic, capable of killing bacteria or inhibiting bacterial growth in a specific way. Antibiotics come in many types, common groups of antibiotics are:

• The β – lactam (including penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins,…).
• Macrolid group (including erythromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin,…).
• Lincosamid group (including lincomycin, clindamycin antibiotics).
• Tetracyclin group (including doxycylin, minocyclin,…).
• Phenicol group (including chloramphenicol antibiotics, thiamphenicol).
• Aminoglycosid group (including streptomycin, kanamycin,…).
• Quinolon group (including offloxacin, ciprofloxacin,…).

The antimicrobial spectrum (the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics) of each antibiotic is different, so depending on the case of infection the doctor will prescribe the appropriate use of antibiotics.

For especially pregnant women, the use of antibiotics should be cautious. While the use of antibiotics during pregnancy is not uncommon, which antibiotics to choose should always be careful, as some antibiotics can be given to pregnant women, others do not. The safety of antibiotics depends on a variety of factors, including the type of antibiotic, the timing of the use of antibiotics in pregnancy, the dosage of antibiotics used, the duration of the use of antibiotics and the undesirable effects that can occur when used in pregnancy.

The following antibiotics are generally recognized as safe if used during pregnancy:

• Penicillins, including amoxicillin, ampicillin.
• Cephalosporins, including cefaclor, cephalexin.
• Erythromycin.
• Clindamycin.

Certain other antibiotics are believed to be at risk if used in pregnant women. Tetracyclines, for example, can change the color of the fetus' developing teeth, so tetracyclines are not recommended after the 15th week of pregnancy.

The doctor will consider if the condition of the pregnant woman needs to use antibiotics, the doctor will prescribe the safest antibiotic, at the safest dose.

At Share99 International Health Hub, there is a full maternity service as a solution to help pregnant mothers feel secure because there is a team of doctors throughout the pregnancy. When choosing a full-service maternity, a pregnant woman can:

• The process of pregnancy is monitored by a team of specialists
• Regular examination, early detection of abnormalities
• Package maternity for the convenience of childbirth
• Infants receive comprehensive care

Article reference source: Mayoclinic.org