Medrana, Danna Mei D.

CAMCA
BSN-2C August 24, 2022

Lipa City Colleges

Lipa City

COLLEGE OF NURSING

10 MEDICATIONS/DRUGS THAT SIDE EFFECTS

CAN AFFECT FETAL
DEVELOPMENT
 Isotretinoin  Cleft palate and other birth defects of
the face
 Congenital heart defects
 Ear problems
 Eye problems
 Microcephaly
 Problems with the thymus gland
 Problems with the parathyroid glands
 Thalidomide  Shortening and absence of limbs
 Malformation of hands and digits
 Damage to ears and eyes
 Sensory impairment
 Facial disfigurement/palsy
 Damage to the brain, internal organs
and skeletal structure.
 Chloramphenicol  An antibiotic that’s usually given as an
injection. This drug can cause
serious blood disorders and gray baby
syndrome.
 This antibiotic is dangerous for babies
because of its high toxicity level.
Unfortunately, infants and babies don’t
have the liver enzymes needed to
metabolize large doses of this
medication.
 Gray baby syndrome can develop if the
antibiotic is given directly to babies.
 Ciprofloxacin & Levofloxacin  These drugs could cause problems
with the baby’s muscle and skeletal
growth as well as joint pain and
potential nerve damage in the mother.
 Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are
both fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
 Fluoroquinolones may also increase
the chances of having a miscarriage
Medrana, Danna Mei D. CAMCA
BSN-2C August 24, 2022
 Primaquine  Primaquine is a drug that’s used to
treat malaria. There isn’t a lot of data
on humans who’ve taken this drug
during pregnancy, but animal
studies suggest it’s harmful to
developing fetuses.
 It can damage blood cells in a fetus.
 Sulfonamides  The majority of these types of drugs
are used to kill germs and
treat bacterial infections.
 They can cause jaundice in newborns.
 Sulfonamides may also increase the
chances of having a miscarriage.
 Warfarin (Coumadin)
 Low birth weight
 Slower growth
 Intellectual disability
 Deafness
 Small head size
 Malformed bones, cartilage, and joints.

 Codeine  The drug has the potential to become

habit-forming. It can lead
to withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
 increases the risk of congenital heart
defects
 Ibuprofren
High doses of this OTC pain reliever can
cause many serious problems, including:

 miscarriage
 delayed onset of labor
 premature closing of the fetal ductus
arteriosus, an important artery
 jaundice
 hemorrhaging for both mother and
baby
 necrotizing enterocolitis, or damage to
the lining of the intestines
 oligohydramnios, or low levels of
amniotic fluid
 fetal kernicterus, a type of brain
damage
 abnormal vitamin K levels
Medrana, Danna Mei D. CAMCA
BSN-2C August 24, 2022
 Clonazepam
 Taking clonazepam during pregnancy
can lead to withdrawal symptoms in
newborns.
 trouble breathing
 poor circulation
 low muscle tone (floppy baby
syndrome)
Floppy Baby Syndrome - defined as a
decrease in muscular tone that varies in
severity and duration