Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment » (2nd Edition)

This newest pocket guide is the definitive source of information on the risks from the relevant drugs that might be taken by women of reproductive age. Risk is assessed not only for prescribed medicinal products for diseases, but also for herbs, industrial, environmental and recreational agents, both before pregnancy as well as during pregnancy and lactation. An easy-to-reference format ensures confidence in prescribing and even includes actions to be taken after inadvertent exposure to developmentally toxic drugs has occurred. The authoritative information contained in this guide supports and facilitates decision making in drug therapy across many therapeutic disciplines, making this book unique in the field. Covering nearly all internationally prescribed drugs used in treatment, each entry reflects the author’s extensive experience with human pregnancy and presents details of developmental toxicity or clinical data supporting drug safety. This affordable, compact compendium of knowledge will be a welcome assistant in the care and therapy of women before, during and after pregnancy.

* Expanded chapters on antiepileptics, psychopharmacological agents, disease modifying drugs, and cancer therapy.
* Essential new information on herbs and vitamins used during pregnancy, as well as chapters on functional foods, nutrition supplements and health foods, covering nearly all substances currently on the market
* Expert content on drug risks during pregnancy and lactation by a group of international authors that are active members of the teratology societies, including OTIS and ENTIS
*Structured according to indication group, rather than alphabetically, providing a more user-friendly guide that makes it easier to compare drugs for a given ailment with respect to their level of safety in pregnancy
* Includes a conveniently removable 'quick reference' card of drugs and their dosage

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Gilad A. Gross, MD(Washington University School of Medicine)
Description:This book on the use of drugs (medical therapeutics) during pregnancy and lactation uses a two-pronged approach, with the first being "best" choices and the second being risks secondary to exposure.
Purpose:The purpose is to facilitate a comparative risk approach, i.e. identifying the drugs of choice for a particular disease or symptom. This is an extremely important goal - assisting clinicians in making the best possible choice for their patients. The author meets the objectives admirably, employing an impressive group of contributors.
Audience:This book is intended for practicing clinicians who prescribe medicinal products and evaluate environmental and/or occupational exposures in women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are lactating. The authors are from around the world, including Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, the U.K., France, Spain, and the U.S.
Features:The best feature of this book is its thorough coverage of how medications pass into breast milk and the way it takes into consideration the differences posed by infant age and maturity. Lists of drug therapies accompanied with recommendations regarding therapy choice and safe alternatives, are especially helpful. The appendixes are a highlight of this book, providing practitioners with a wealth of listed resources. Some of these are invaluable resources.
Assessment:This is highly recommended to all clinicians working in the areas of obstetrics, pediatrics, and lactation. It offers more specific recommendations regarding treatment options than a similar book, Hale's Medications and Mothers Milk, 12th edition (Hale Publishing, 2006). Another book in this area, Schaefer et al.'s Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (Elsevier, 2007) does not list drugs under specific categories, such as general and local anesthetics, muscle relaxants, or dermatological medications, the way this book does, which makes decision making easier for the clinician. This book is a great addition to the clinician's library. This second edition contains major revisions with many sections completely rewritten, and the price is lower, making the book available to a greater readership.

Preface List of Contributors
General commentary to drug therapy and drug risks in pregnancy
Specific drug therapies during pregnancy
Analgesics and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Antiallergic Drugs and Desensitization Antiasthmatic and Cough Medication Antiemetics Gastrointestinal, Antilipidemic Agents and Spasmolytics Anti-infective agents Vaccines and Immunoglobulins Heart and Circulatory System Drugs and Diuretics Anticoagulant and fibrinolytic drugs Antiepileptics Psychotropic drugs Immunomodulators Antineoplastic Drugs Uterine contraction agents, tocolytics, vaginal therapeutics and local contraceptives Hormones General and local anesthetics and muscle relaxants Dermatological medications and local therapeutics Vitamins, minerals and trace elements Herbs During Pregnancy Diagnostic agents Recreational drugs Poisonings and Toxins Occupational, industrial and environmental agents
General Commentary on Drug Therapy and Drug Risk During Lactation
Specific drug therapies during lactation
Analgesics, antiphlogistics and anesthetics Antiallergics, antiasthmatics and antitussives Gastrointestinal drugs Antiinfectives Vaccines and Immunoglobulins Cardiovascular drugs and diuretics Anticoagulants and fibrinolytics Antiepileptics Psychotropic drugs Immunomodulating and Antineoplastic Agents Hormones and hormone antagonists Dermatological Drugs and Local Therapeutics Alternative Remedies , Vitamins and Minerals Diagnostics Infections Recreational Drugs Plant Toxins Industrial chemicals and environmental contaminants Appendix A - Teratology Information Centers Appendix B - Addresses for breastfeeding support Subject Index