USE OF TRADITIONAL DRUGS IN PREGNANT AND NURSING MOTHERS: A REVIEW OF ASSOCIATED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS

Abstract

Author(s): Hamiduddin *, Aslam M, Sofi G, Wadud A

The condition of carrying a developing embryo in the uterus and breast feeding of baby by mothers requires special precautions in term of intake of medicines. Usage of traditional drugs also requires some vigilance in respects of its adverse drugs reactions. The particular dangers of these preparations come rather from the belief that they are natural and therefore necessarily safe in pregnancy. Since last few decades’ tremendous research work has been done of the various aspect of medicinal plants on pharmacognostic and chemical aspect, but aspect of safety and toxicity particularly, in pregnancy and lactation, is the most neglected area. These medicines are considering safer then allopathic drugs, but several plant species are proven be toxic in these conditions. For example, volatile oil containing drugs can be abortifacient, Irritant to genitourinary tract (can cause uterine contractions). Some constituents also have got action on uterus. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause Hepatotoxicity in a new born. Some are strong diuretic and laxative (can cause water / salt lose), hormonally active, mutagenic, ginotoxic, teratogenic, etc. So these drugs are better avoided during pregnancy and lactations. An attempt can be made to identify herbal / traditional ingredients that have potential toxic effect on pregnancy and lactating women and also about their potential interfere with specific categories of conventional drugs based on their phytochemical, pharmacological properties and many documented side effects and also due to adulteration by heavy metals & microbial contaminations in relevance with classical Unani & Ayurvedic / traditional literature. Details of these drugs will be discussed in the present work.