information sources re: prescribing in pregnancy

Last reviewed 01/2018

In the British National Formulary (BNF), Appendix 4 presents risk-benefit information about drugs and indicates the stage of pregnancy at which a particular drug is most likely to harm the fetus.

Other information sources include specialist reference books (2) or via contacting the drug manufacturer. "Data sheets are not very helpful when prescribing in pregnancy as they are often written from a medicolegal standpoint and so tend to advise against the use of a drug in pregnancy (3)".

Reference

  1. BNF Appendix 4
  2. Briggs GG et al. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins
  3. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (1996). Pre-conception, pregnancy and prescribing, 34 (4), 25-27.