Retrospective Analysis of Pregnant Cases in Terms of Drug-Drug interactions and Teratogenic risks

Abstract

Objective: While teratogenic risks in pregnant women are frequently discussed, polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions (DDI) are topics with little known information. The aim of this study is to determine the polypharmacy status, DDI, and teratogenic risk profile during pregnancy. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted covering the year 2023 on pregnant women who were referred for pharmacology consultation due to a history of drug use. Investigation of DDI was performed through the Micromedex and Medscape online query modules. Results: It was found that 113 pregnant women used a total of 71 different active ingredient drugs from 24 diverse pharmacological groups. The average number of drugs used per individual was 2.97. Analgesics, antibiotics, and gastric acid inhibitors were the most used medications, respectively. 11.6% of the women had a comorbidity, and cardiovascular diseases were the most common. It was determined that 28.3% of women had a serious or moderate DDI. The rate of drugs in categories D and X, which are particularly risky in terms of teratogenicity, was found to be 40.8%. Conclusion: In addition to teratogenic effects, polypharmacy and DDI are also significant risk factors in pregnant women. There is still a crucial need for evidence on the medications prescribed in pregnancy, how it specifically affects women with comorbidities, and related benefits and harms.