Which antibiotics are contraindicated in pregnancy?

When drugs endanger organ development and thus the entire development of the embryo, they are called teratogenic substances. Possibly teratogenic is the antibiotic cotrimoxazole. Fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines such as doxycycline, aminoglycosides, vancomycin, carbapenems and metronidazole are definitely contraindicated. These antibiotics should never be taken during pregnancy or while breast-feeding as they cause massive disturbances in the development of an embryo or a newborn. Mostly the bones, cartilage and teeth are affected, but depending on the antibiotic, hearing damage may also occur.

What consequences does taking antibiotics have for my child?

If antibiotics are prescribed during pregnancy, those are selected that are completely harmless to the child according to current knowledge. Because only such harmless antibiotics may be given to mothers. This means that taking them has no consequences for the child.

If, however, an antibiotic is prescribed that could theoretically be harmful to the child, a wide variety of consequences can occur for the child. The spectrum of consequences is very wide and ranges from discoloration of the teeth to termination of pregnancy. Antibiotics that should not be taken during pregnancy are listed under the question “Which antibiotics are contraindicated during pregnancy”.

Antibiotics for cystitis in pregnancy

When people talk about a bladder infection, they usually mean a urinary tract infection. This means that it is not the bladder itself that is inflamed, but the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections, like actual cystitis, are caused by bacteria and can therefore be treated with antibiotics.

However, they should only be used in extreme cases, as side effects such as digestive problems and the development of resistance are not uncommon. The development of resistance means that the bacteria learn to defend themselves against the antibiotic and can no longer be killed. In case of pregnancy, however, antibiotic therapy should be considered at an early stage, as a urinary tract infection is extremely unpleasant and painful, especially for pregnant women.

Since the urinary tract is short in women, there is also the additional risk that the bacteria will migrate up into the bladder. This is dangerous because they can get from there into the kidneys and are very difficult to kill. Therefore, a pregnant woman who suspects that she has a urinary tract infection should definitely consult a doctor. The doctor will then choose the right antibiotic depending on the bacteria. This should then be taken regularly and as prescribed to keep the side effects as low as possible.

Antibiotics for pneumonia in pregnancy

Pneumonia can be caused by viruses and bacteria. Those caused by bacteria can be effectively treated with antibiotics. This should also be done in the case of an illness as serious as pneumonia, especially during pregnancy. Again, it depends on which bacterium exactly caused the pneumonia. Depending on this, one of the antibiotics that work against it and do not pose a risk to the pregnancy is given.