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Drugs used during pregnancy can have temporary or permanent effects on the fetus. Any drug that
acts during embryonic or fetal development to produce a permanent alteration of form or function is
known as a teratogen.
[edit]Categories of drugs
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a rating system to provide therapeutic
guidance based on potential benefits and fetal risks. Drugs have been classified into categories A, B,
C, D and X based on this system of classification. Drugs like multivitamins that have demonstrated no
fetal risks after controlled studies in humans are classified as Category A. On the other hand drugs like
thalidomide with proven fetal risks that outweigh all benefits are classified as Category X.
Category C : Tetanus toxoid, polio vaccine , BCG vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, hepatitis B
vaccine and rabies vaccine.
[edit]