Profile of synthetic drugs and herbal medicines used by pregnant women seen in basic health unit in northern Ceará State, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: There is a shortage of clinical data on drugs in pregnant patients. To assist in the management of pharmacotherapy in these patients, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created, in 1979, rules for classification of pregnancy risk for drugs. In addition, in Brazil, there is use of phytotherapics by the population, linked to socio-cultural and economical factors, at times without knowing what risks medicinal plants can bring to patients, especially in pregnant women. Objective: To describe the use of synthetic drugs and herbal medicines by pregnant women seen at a Basic Health Unit, reporting the socioeconomic profile and historical parity of the interviewees and classifying the gestational risk of the medicines used. Methods: This is an exploratory, descriptive research, with a qualitative approach, in a Basic Health Unit located in a provincial city of Ceará. Pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at the unit in any gestational trimester were included in the study, and those underage were excluded. Data was collected using a structured form, after the participants signed the Free and Informed Consent Form and charted using Microsoft Excel 365. The risk classification of drugs was carried out using the FDA criteria and medicinal plants were classified according to the results obtained in the literature under “Indicated”, “Indicated with reservations” or “Admonished”. Study approved by the Research Ethics Committee, under the file 3,569,328. Results: A total of 43 pregnant women participated, of which 15 (34.88%) had some type of comorbidity, with gestational diabetes, allergic rhinitis and hypertension being the most prevalent. 41 participants (95.35%) used some medication during pregnancy, with emphasis on medications with risks on B and C (84.44% of the total). Regarding the use of phytotherapy, 13 pregnant women (30.23%) used some medicinal plant, where only one of the species described was Indicated with reservations during pregnancy. Conclusions: It was observed that one of the factors associated with use of medications during pregnancy is the beginning of prenatal care. Although pregnant women avoid the use of synthetic medicines without indication, the same does not happen on the use of phytotherapy, which is carried out indiscriminately. In addition, the lack of studies on the risks of medications during pregnancy and the absence of pharmacists in prenatal care, a professional capable of promoting rational use of medications who could improve the profile of medication used by these patients.