Abstract
Information on the safety of drugs is particularly important during pregnancy because pregnant women may have chronic diseases requiring medical intervention, for example, epilepsy, diabetic mellitus, or asthma. Alternatively, they develop pregnancy-induced problems such as hypertension or diabetes. For both situations, drug use in pregnancy is necessary. To avoid all drugs in pregnancy is unreasonable and may be dangerous. The main aim of this study was to measure the frequency and distribution of exposure to different types of drugs and chemicals (over the counter (OTC) and prescribed) before and during pregnancy in current Libyan women. The self-report questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the women’s prescribed, non-prescribed OTC, and social drug use during the first trimester of pregnancy and in the 3 months prior to pregnancy. The most common nutritional supplements before and during pregnancy were folic acid, multivitamins, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and calcium. A small number of women (n=5, 15%) took folic acid and multivitamins during the preconception period compared with 12 (35%) who used these agents during pregnancy. Iron and calcium were infrequently used before and during pregnancy. A small number of women (n=4, 12%) took oral vitamin during the preconception compared with (n=6, 18%) who received vitamin D injection (IM) during pregnancy. Paracetamol use slightly decreased with knowledge of pregnancy. Antibiotics were the most frequently prescribed medicines during pregnancy, with 9 women (26%) receiving these agents, usually azithromycin, amoxicillin, or coamoxiclav. During both the preconception and post-conception periods, four women used salbutamol for asthma. The results of this study confirm that the drug use during pregnancy is common, and several drugs may be used, often to treat specific issues associated with pregnancy or chronic disease. However, for OTC group, use is reduced compared to the period before pregnancy. Keywords: Drug information, Libya, nutritional supplements, pregnancy