Medications for Infection in Pregnancy

Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria, such as:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Group B streptococcus (GBS)
• Listeriosis
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia , syphilis , and gonorrhea

Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause the infection. The infection may still come back. If this happens, a repeat course may be needed. Some people may keep having problems even after the bacteria are killed.

You may be given:

• Amoxicillin —This is a type of penicillin antibiotic. It comes as a pill or liquid.
• Clindamycin —Can be used if you have an allergy to penicillin.
• Ceftriaxone, Cephalexin, Cefazolin —These are cephalosporin antibiotics. Some are given in a pill form and others are injected.
• Azithromycin, Erythromycin —These drugs are called macrolides. They are used for many kinds of bacterial infections.

Reactions may be:

• Belly pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Allergy, such as skin rash, swelling, and problems breathing

If you have been exposed or have certain infections, you may be given this to help boost your ability to fight infections. IG can be given safely as a shot under the skin, into a muscle, or by IV.

IG can be used for:

• Chickenpox —Varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) can prevent chickenpox or make the infection less severe if it is given within 72 hours of coming in contact with the virus.
• Measles —If you were exposed to measles and have not had it before, you may be given IG by IV within six days of coming in contact with the virus.
• Hepatitis B —Often given late in pregnancy. It has been shown to prevent it from passing from you to your growing baby.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection —Immune globulin may help prevent the fetus from getting the infection.

Infection with herpes virus is treated with acyclovir. This can also be used to prevent an outbreak during pregnancy. Women who have HIV should talk to their doctor about which antiviral medicines are right for them.

Certain antiviral medicines can safely be given to women late in pregnancy to lower the risk of giving hepatitis B to the growing baby. These are lamivudine, telbivudine, and tenovofir.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease that results from an infection by a parasite. It is treated with antiparasitic medicines.

If a pregnant woman has toxoplasmosis but the fetus does not, then the mother may be treated with Spiramycin . This is a macrolide antibiotic and antiparasitic.

If the baby has toxoplasmosis, a mix of these medicines may be prescribed:

• Pyrimethamine —This is an antimalarial agent.
• Sulfadiazine —This is a sulfonamide antibiotic that fights the growth of bacteria.
• Folinic acid —A form of folic acid. It is used to treat toxoplasmosis when given with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine.

When you take medicines, follow these steps:

• Take your medicine as directed. Do not change the amount or schedule.
• Ask what side effects could happen. Report them to your doctor.
• Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
• Do not share your prescription medicine.
• Medicines can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one, including over the counter products and supplements.
• Plan ahead for refills.

Talk with your doctor before using over the counter medicines to treat an infection. There are some that are not safe to use during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen is generally safe to use during pregnancy. It may ease symptoms of an infection. Other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen , naproxen, and aspirin should not be taken during pregnancy unless under medical supervision. These need to be avoided late in pregnancy.