Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology March 2002 [antikvár]

WILLIAM F. RAYBURN, MD, Guest Editor Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Ohstetrics and Gynecology, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico Foreword Drug use has changed among women of reproductive age. New products have been marketed, more concerns have arisen regarding safety and efficacy, public education has increased, and certain preseription medications have been granted nonprescription status by the Food and Drug Administration. Women must be relied on to give to their health care provider an accurate description of the drugs they used. Drug regimens for chronic illnesses are best altered, when possible, in the preconception period to include those medications that have been most thoroughly assessed in humán pregnancy and that have been determined to pose the lowest risk. However, limitations exist when considering which medication is safe to continue when pregnancy is anticipated or is already discovered. The following rules are helpful to explain to someone who desires becoming pregnant1: • Avoid multiple medications if possible and choose those that are "safer." • Determine the best method to monitor therapy (safety and efficacy). • The healthiest mother is most likely to deliver the healthiest infant. Correspondence: William F. Rayburn, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Ohstetrics and Gynecology, 2211 Lomas Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5286. E-mail: [email protected] CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY / VOLUME 45 / NUMBER 1 / MARCH 2002