Is it ok to take antibiotics (penicillin)whilst pregnant?

Answer 1

Answer
It depends on many factors, including the type of antibiotic, how much you take, how long you take it for and when in your pregnancy you take it. Some antibiotics are generally considered safe to take throughout pregnancy. These include penicillin, cephalosporins and erythromycin. Other antibiotics — such as streptomycin, quinolones and tetracycline — pose known risks to a developing fetus and should be avoided.

In all cases, the potential risk of a drug needs to be carefully weighed against the potential harmful effects of the condition if left untreated. If an antibiotic is the only way to cure your illness, your doctor will prescribe the safest drug possible at the safest dosage possible.

Be sure to tell any doctor you consult with that you are pregnant — so this can be considered in treatment decisions. If you have concerns or questions about taking antibiotics or any kind of medications during pregnancy, discuss them your doctor.

Answer 2

yes you can just be aware that anything you take eat drink etc can pass through to the baby penicillin if fine tho

make sure you finish the course dont stop when you feel better and ignore anyone that tells you to do this

some antibiotics you cannot take are erythromicin tetracycline metronidazol im not sure any others that you can or cannot

also a GP is not always sure about medication and pregnancy he may look in a book the person to ask would be a pharmacist

Answer 3

Unless it's totally necessary, but I wouldn't suggest it. I was sick a couple of times during my pregnancy and my doctor told me that she would only prescribe me antibiotics only if it was totally necessary.

My brother was watching the news about a week ago and there was a story where this woman had a child that was born with a disability. He's a few years old and when the doctors traced back as to what may have caused it, they traced it back to her taking antibiotics while she was pregnant.

I'm sure there are cases where there have been no effects, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Some antibiotics are fine, but some are not, always check with your doctor first, or if you go to the chemist and ask the pharmisist, they can tell you. But they should be prescribed by a doctor who knows you are pregnant in the first place x

Answer 5

In the BNF (British National Formulary, and doctors bible for prescribing) it says they are 'not known to be harmful', and believe me, if the drug company had even the tiniest hint or suspicion that it could be harmful to baby they would say so. Your GP knew you were pregnant so would not have prescribed them if unsafe, you would only be taking a small dosage anyway but of course its best to steer clear of any drug when you are pregnant even though sometimes you have to give in. I understand your worry, so if you are at all concerned try homeopathic remedies instead, honey and lemon and paracetamol if you are feverish. Best of luck.

Answer 6

Im sure the only way you can get antibiotics such as penicillin, any time is if they are prescribed to you by your doctor. i dont think you can just buy them. If your doctor knows you are pregnant and he has given you penicillin then it is perfectly safe to take if you follow the dosage guidelines. i was prescribed this by my doctor when i was around 12 weeks, and it was fine.

Answer 7

I am nearly 34 weeks pregnant and have a chest infection. My GP prescribed me penicillin so it must be relatively safe. As long as your doctor prescribed it.

Answer 8

Check with the doc. Mine prescribe something that started with a M. Only certain ones are safe while pregnant. Don't take anything without checking first.

Answer 9

Yes, some antibiotics are fine to take while pregnant but your doctor should prescribe them and he/she must know that you are pregnant.
Some antibiotics are very dangerous and some are fine to take.

Category B
Most antibiotics are Category B, which means that there is no known association with birth defects or other pregnancy-related complication and the drug is probably safe. These include:

Amoxicillin
Ampicillin
Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)
Dicloxicillin
Macrobid (nitrofurantoin)
Flagyl (metronidazole) (although there is some controversy about taking it by mouth in the first trimester)
Cephalosporins including: Keflex (cephalexin), Ceclor (cefaclor), Duricef (cefadroxil)
Cleocin (clindamycin)
Erythromycin (all forms)
Zithromax (azithromycin)
Sulfa drugs (until near term)
Famvir (famciclovir)
Zovirax (acyclovir)
Valtrex (valacyclovir)
Clotrimazole-vaginal (Mycelex, Lotrimin)

Answer 10

Yes it is perfectly ok, i am 7 weeks pregnant and i was diagnose with a bladder infection 2 weeks ago and the dr gave me antbiotics to clear it up, if the dr says it is ok then dont argue with that.