Prescribing Guidelines for ENT Medications during Pregnancy

Abstract

Profound physiologic changes occur during pregnancy, and they can alter the pharmacodynamics ofan administered drug. Almost 85 % of women take at least one prescription medication during a pregnancy. Nearly every drug administered to a mother crosses the placenta, and fetal drug levels can reach 50 to 100% ofmaternal serum concentrations. Because many otolaryngologic conditions are associated with pregnancy, it is essential that otolaryngologists who care for gravid patients know which drugs are safe and avoid unnecessary prescriptions so that the best care can be delivered to the pregnant patient without harming her unborn child. In this article, we discuss the relative safety and efficacy ofvarious types of drugs frequently prescribed for pregnant women by otolaryngologists.

Clinical management and progress in sudden sensorineural hearing loss during pregnancy

“…34 However, corticosteroid therapy is thought to be safe when corticosteroids are used in the third trimester according to Ambro et al's prescribing guidelines. 35 Zeng et al 18 and Zhang 19 also showed that oral prednisone use in pregnant women with SSNHL achieved a satisfactory recovery. There were also no apparent harmful side effects found in the mothers and infants who were followed up for several years.…”

Otolaryngology and the Pregnant Patient

“…Rarely, hormonal and hemodynamic shifts during pregnancy result in pathology that requires intervention by an otolaryngologist. Physicians may find the care of pregnant patients intimidating, as the risks posed by common medications and surgical intervention to both the pregnant patient and the developing fetus are poorly understood . As a further complication, risks of interventions to the developing fetus may vary depending on the stage of fetal development .…”

“…Physicians may find the care of pregnant patients intimidating, as the risks posed by common medications and surgical intervention to both the pregnant patient and the developing fetus are poorly understood. 1 As a further complication, risks of interventions to the developing fetus may vary depending on the stage of fetal development. 2,3 In this review, we address common otolaryngologic manifestations in the pregnant patient and the safety of routine medications and summarize precautions to take when it is necessary to intervene surgically with a pregnant patient.…”