Training resources
Get to grips with how to answer questions patients may ask you about the safety of medicines in pregnancy.
Medicines in Pregnancy – a recorded webinar
Find out what questions to ask and what information to consider when advising and managing medicine use during pregnancy
Formulating your advice on the use of medicines in pregnancy
Providing advice on medicines in pregnancy is complex. Preparing, structuring and phrasing information can improve communication and understanding.
The principles of prescribing in pregnancy
There are some important principles that should be applied when providing advice on the use of medicines in pregnancy.
Assessing risk and informing the risk versus benefit decision for medicines in pregnancy
There are key factors to be considered in making a risk assessment and a risk versus benefit decision about use of medicines in pregnancy.
Information resources for advice about medicines in pregnancy
SPS and other information resources can help pharmacy and other healthcare professionals provide advice on medicines in pregnancy.
Questions to ask when giving advice on medicines in pregnancy
Specific information should be gathered about a pregnant woman and her pregnancy to enable a good risk assessment and decision about treatment.
Treatment resources
Both pre-existing and new conditions need to be managed carefully during pregnancy. Maintaining good maternal health supports good foetal health and development. Good medicines choices in pregnancy can also enable safe medicines use in breastfeeding.
Articles below discuss and signpost to advice on safe and effective treatment during pregnancy for a range of common conditions.
Allergy, immunology and pregnancy
Hay fever or allergic rhinitis: treatment during pregnancy
Use non-pharmacological treatments for the initial management of hay fever during pregnancy. If insufficient, use topical treatments or oral antihistamines.
Cardiovascular disorders and pregnancy
Hypertension: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy
COVID-19 treatments and pregnancy
Using nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) in practice
Support for prescribing decisions in people on interacting medicines, those with swallowing difficulties, renal impairment, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Endocrine disorders and pregnancy
Diabetes: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of diabetes in pregnancy
Gastrointestinal disorders and pregnancy
Haemorrhoids: treatment during pregnancy
Use non-pharmacological treatment for the management of haemorrhoids during pregnancy. If insufficient use a topical haemorrhoidal preparation.
Nausea and Vomiting: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Constipation: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of constipation in pregnancy
Heartburn and Dyspepsia: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of heartburn and dyspepsia in pregnancy
Haematological disorders and pregnancy
Vitamin D deficiency: treatment during pregnancy
Use oral vitamin D therapy to manage vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. It is important to prescribe an appropriate formulation and dose.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: treatment during pregnancy
Intramuscular hydroxocobalamin and oral cyanocobalamin are treatment options for the management of clinically relevant vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy.
Infections and pregnancy
Urinary tract infection: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of urinary tract infection in pregnancy
Thrush or vaginal candida: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of thrush or vaginal Candida in pregnancy
Mental health and pregnancy
Depression: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of depression in pregnancy
Pain and pregnancy
Using opioids for pain relief during pregnancy
Opioid analgesics may be used at any stage of pregnancy at the lowest effective dose for the short-term relief of pain when other analgesics are not effective.
Pain: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of pain in pregnancy
Respiratory conditions and pregnancy
Asthma: treatment during pregnancy
Signposting evidence-based information on the treatment of asthma during pregnancy