Self-Reported Medication Use among Pregnant and Postpartum Women during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A European Multinational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Information on medication utilization among pregnant and postpartum women during the pandemic is lacking. We described the prevalence and patterns of self-reported medication use among pregnant and postpartum women during the third wave of the pandemic (June–August 2021). An online questionnaire was distributed in five European countries between June–August 2021. Pregnant women or women who had delivered in the three preceding months, and ≥18 years old, could participate. The prevalence of overall medication use, self-medication, and changes in chronic medication use were determined. A total of 2158 women out of 5210 participants (41.4%) used at least one medication. Analgesics (paracetamol), systemic antihistamines (cetirizine), and drugs for gastric disorders (omeprazole) were the three most used classes. Anti-infectives were less prevalent than during pre-pandemic times. Antidepressants and anxiety related medication use remained similar, despite a higher prevalence of these symptoms. Self-medication was reported in 19.4% of women, and 4.1% of chronic medication users reported that they changed a chronic medication on personal initiative due to the pandemic. In conclusion, medication use patterns in our cohort were mostly similar to those of the first COVID-19 wave and the pre-pandemic period. More studies are needed to explore factors associated with self-medication and changes in chronic medication use due to the pandemic in this perinatal population.

Information Needs and Counseling Preferences among Potential Users of the Future Teratology Information Service in Belgium: A Cross-Sectional Study Involving the Public and Healthcare Professionals

“…Specific groups of medicines for which HCPs want information were identified, including systemic anti-infectives and respiratory and alimentary tract medicines. These medicines are also regularly used in this population [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Moreover, women and HCPs expressed their interest in having access to information on herbal remedies.…”

Pharmacotherapy during Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Lactation

“… Overview on the different themes and specific papers discussed in this Special Issue [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. …”

“…As the migratory phenomenon represents a structural element of society, it is hereby reassuring that the prescription patterns only showed minor differences between both groups, while inappropriate prescription (antihypertensives, statins, anti-inflammatory drugs) was limited in both groups [ 13 ]. Two other papers focused on another ‘intercurrent’ event (the COVID-19 pandemic) and its effects on medicines utilization in pregnant and breastfeeding women in different European countries [ 14 , 15 ]. Both studies hereby used a self-reported approach of the end users.…”

“…In a subsequent analysis, during the third wave (June–August 2021) in the same countries, 41.4% used at least one medicine, with analgesics (paracetamol), systemic antihistamines (cetirizine), and medicines for gastric disorders (omeprazole) were the three most commonly used. Anti-infectives were less prevalent compared to the pre-pandemic setting, while the use of antidepressants and anxiety-related medicines remained similar [ 15 ]. The two other papers related to the prescription theme have a specific focus on young women with specific medical conditions.…”

Comment to “Pregnancy and COVID-19, focus on vaccine and pharmacological treatment”

“…Vitiello et al stated that “some oral analgesic drugs used for self-medication can be used in pregnancy, such as ibuprofen, which has been shown to be safe for pregnant patients with covid-19” and referred to our manuscript. However, our manuscript and follow-up publication ( Gerbier et al, 2022 ) present the results of drug utilization studies and only provide prevalence estimates on the perinatal use of the non-steroidal inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen during the COVID period (<1% in pregnancy). Such studies neither aim to provide evidence of safety, nor obtain insight into specific risks associated with the use of ibuprofen or NSAIDs in pregnancy.…”