JLE

Journal de Pharmacie Clinique

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Management of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy Volume 31, issue 3, Septembre 2012

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Authors
Service de pharmacie, Hôpital A. Béclère, Clamart, France

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy affects approximately 80% cent of women. Etiology includes physiopathologic (hormonal) or psychologic (stress, asthenia) factors. Therapeutic management is complex because of multiple and sometimes unknown etiologies and potential drug toxicity in pregnant woman. Initial treatment should be conservative and should involve dietary changes and emotional support. Several medications including doxylamine and pyridoxine have been shown to be safe and effective treatments. In more complicated cases, medical consultation is recommended to rule out others pathologic causes (infections, endocrinian troubles). Antiemetics (metoclopramide) and antiacids can be prescribed. Eventually, alternative therapies (homeopathy, phytotherapy) can be proposed to pregnant patients. Pregnant women who have severe vomiting may require hospitalization to rehydrate them and make a complete physiopathology and psychologic examination. In all cases, the pharmacist in parternship with the patient have to make sure that the prescribed drugs are safe for pregnant women.