Pregnancy and lactation

Definition

Pregnancy and lactation refer to the periods during which a woman is carrying a fetus and producing milk postpartum, respectively. These stages significantly affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, requiring special considerations in drug therapy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Certain medications can cross the placenta and affect fetal development.
2. Drug metabolism can be altered during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
3. Many drugs are secreted in breast milk, potentially affecting the nursing infant.
4. Teratogenic drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy due to risk of birth defects.
5. The FDA has specific pregnancy categories (A, B, C, D, X) for drug safety in pregnancy.

Review Questions

• What factors should be considered when prescribing medications to pregnant women?
• How can lactation influence the pharmacokinetics of drugs?
• What is a teratogen and why is it important in the context of pregnancy?

Related terms

Teratogen: A substance that can cause congenital abnormalities or birth defects.

Placental Transfer: The process by which substances pass from maternal blood to fetal blood through the placenta.

FDA Pregnancy Categories: Classification system used to indicate the potential risks of drugs during pregnancy.