Medication use during the perinatal period.
OBJECTIVE
To briefly describe the drug therapy administered during the perinatal period of pregnancy for common maternal and fetal complications, and to identify those agents that should not be used for these conditions.


METHODS
References were obtained from an ongoing literature search of peer-reviewed obstetric and gynecologic journals and other selected medical and pharmacy journals available in the English language. Primary search vehicle was a weekly review of the tables of contents of nearly 1,300 medical journals provided by Reference Update (Institute of Scientific Information, Philadelphia). MEDLINE searches were also conducted using key terms for each subtopic.


METHODS
Specific references were selected for each topic based on the adequacy of their study design, patient population, and a recent publication date. Reviews were used if a large number of primary references would have been required to adequately describe the topic.


METHODS
Most references reflected the current opinions expressed in the Educational (Technical) Bulletin and Committee Opinion series published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Recent, well-conducted studies that arrived at different conclusions were also included.


RESULTS
Data obtained from each reference reflected the conclusions of the authors based on their research or an analysis of the research on others on the appropriate use of the drug(s) for the specific condition being treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Drug therapy during the perinatal period is frequently required and can be beneficial for the mother, fetus, and newborn. Many complications previously associated with severe morbidity and mortality, such as infections, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, hypertension, maternal pain during labor, and postpartum hemorrhage, are now controlled with appropriate pharmacologic therapy. All health professionals who provide services to pregnant women should be knowledgeable in this drug therapy.
Briggs
G G
GG
Women's Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, CA 90801-1428, USA. jbriggs@memnet.org
D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010120:Oxytocics; D015149:Tocolytic Agents