Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation

This book is now in its 10th edition and continues to enjoy great success with physicians and other professionals involved in the care of pregnant and lactating patients. Many of the reviews are exhaustive but pertinent to the management of pregnant and lactating patients who have already ingested a drug or who are in need of drug therapy where a cost–benefit analysis may be necessary for appropriate counseling. There are seldom absolute answers to questions a woman may have when she ingests a drug when pregnant or nursing because human experience is usually, of necessity, somewhat anecdotal. Even with all the information in this publication, there are risks that are yet unknown that may apply to a small number of people making the dictum of not using drugs in pregnancy without good cause still important. The effect of drugs in animals, the importance of timing and dose, and the effect of environmental factors are all involved in the risks and benefits of drugs in pregnant and/or lactating women and their fetuses/neonates. These factors are considered when data are available, but we must admit that in no individual case is the understanding of risks and benefits absolute.