Handbook for prescribing medications during pregnancy - Donald R. Coustan

Now in an up-to-date Third Edition, this pocket-sized reference provides instant access to the information physicians need when prescribing drugs for obstetric patients. It catalogues over 250 drugs by generic and trade names, summarizes essential clinical facts about each drug, and gives advice regarding whether and when each drug can safely be prescribed for pregnant or lactating women.The drug profiles include indications and recommendations; special considerations in pregnancy; dosage; adverse effects; mechanism of action; and absorption and biotransformation. The authors clearly state when a drug is safe for obstetric patients, whether specific conditions affect its use, how it affects pregnant women, fetuses, and breastfeeding infants, and whether the agent is the subject of ongoing controversy. Appendices cover special substances such as vitamins and minerals, antineoplastic drugs, vaccines, and environmental agents. To help physicians locate information quickly, two indexes list drugs by trade and generic name and by drug classification.