couldn't be much worse than any of these ....
Pregnancy and Medicines
Prescription Medicines
The FDA chooses a medicine's letter category based on what is known about the medicine when used in pregnant women and animals.
Definition of Medicine Catogories Pregnancy Category Definition Examples of Drugs A In human studies, pregnant women used the medicine and their babies did not have any problems related to using the medicine.
- Folic acid
- Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone medicine)
B In humans, there are no good studies. But in animal studies, pregnant animals received the medicine, and the babies did not show any problems related to the medicine.
Or
In animal studies, pregnant animals received the medicine, and some babies had problems. But in human studies, pregnant women used the medicine and their babies did not have any problems related to using the medicine.
- Some antibiotics like amoxicillin.
- Zofran® (ondansetron) for nausea
- Glucophage® (metformin) for diabetes
- Some insulins used to treat diabetes such as regular and NPH insulin.
C In humans, there are no good studies. In animals, pregnant animals treated with the medicine had some babies with problems. However, sometimes the medicine may still help the human mothers and babies more than it might harm.
Or
No animal studies have been done, and there are no good studies in pregnant women.
- Diflucan® (fluconazole) for yeast infections
- Ventolin® (albuterol) for asthma
- Zoloft® (sertraline) and Prozac® (fluoxetine) for depression
D Studies in humans and other reports show that when pregnant women use the medicine, some babies are born with problems related to the medicine. However, in some serious situations, the medicine may still help the mother and the baby more than it might harm.
- Paxil® (paroxetine) for depression
- Lithium for bipolar disorder
- Dilantin® (phenytoin) for epileptic seizures
- Some cancer chemotherapy
X Studies or reports in humans or animals show that mothers using the medicine during pregnancy may have babies with problems related to the medicine. There are no situations where the medicine can help the mother or baby enough to make the risk of problems worth it. These medicines should never be used by pregnant women.
- Accutane® (isotretinoin) for cystic acne
- Thalomid® (thalidomide) for a type of skin disease
I have to say you have a good point here... I'm currently pregnant and suffereing from nausea. My Dr. perscribed me to promethazine.
Promethazine Trade Name Phenerzine Manufacturer Risk Category C
- Studies on animals show adverse effect and toxicity on fetus.
- No adequate and well controlled studies done on pregnant women.
- Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
Place (not click) your mouse cursor over the bold words in the text below to receive description Indication
- Anti-histamine, anti-emetic, phenothiazine
Fetal Risk
- Crosses human placenta.
- No adequate human data but suggested possible association with cardiovascular defects in 1st trimester exposure.
- reported to cause neonatal respiratory depression and neonatal platelet dysfunction when used in labor.
Promethazine often causes sedation and tiredness. In children less than two it can depress respiration and lead to death and, therefore, should not be used in children less than two years old.
Dizziness may also occur. Ironically, promethazine sometimes stimulates patients, particularly children. Such stimulation may be manifest by restlessness, inability to
sleep, heart
palpitations or even seizures. Neurologic reactions called extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) may occur. EPS are categorized as dystonic reactions (alterations in muscle tone), sharp, involuntary muscle movements (often limited to one muscle or muscle group), akathisia (subjective restlessness), and parkinsonism. Parkinsonian symptoms are more common in older persons whereas children more often develop the involuntary muscle movements reactions. Dystonic reactions are most commonly seen during the first week of treatment. Akathisia and parkinsonian symptoms usually develop days to weeks after starting therapy.
A complex called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can occur in patients receiving phenothiazines. NMS consists of high body temperature, severe EPS, changes in consciousness and mental status, and increased heart rate with low or
high blood pressure. NMS occurs more frequently in young men and in persons who are dehydrated.
Anticholinergic side effects of promethazine include blurred vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, nausea, urinary retention (inability to urinate),
impotence, and
constipation.
Rarely, blood cell disorders can occur; low white cell counts can lead to severe infections.
Phenothiazines such as promethazine can cause skin hyperpigmentation (darkening) but usually only after prolonged use. The effect is usually restricted to areas of the body exposed to sunlight. Thus, people who need long-term promethazine should either keep out of the sun or use effective sunscreens.
Phenothiazines can cause blurred vision, difficulty with nighttime vision, or changes in color vision.
Liver damage has been reported rarely with the administration of phenothiazines.
Jaundice is possible. Jaundice may also occur in newborns of mothers who received phenothiazines during pregnancy.
Phenothiazines such as promethazine block dopamine receptors. This effect can lead to increases in blood levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in lactation (formation of breast milk). As a result, phenothiazines can cause the breast to produce fluid ("milk") even when the woman is not pregnant. Additionally, phenothiazines can cause missed menstrual periods, breast enlargement or tenderness, loss of sexual drive, impotence, inability to ejaculate, and priapism. Weight gain also may occur.
... there's to may side affect for both mom and baby. I smoked with my first child and he's conpletely fine. In fact I've been told he's highly intellegent for being under 2.
