MDs Don't Issue Pregnancy, Drugs Warning

By JOANN LOVIGLIO
Associated Press Writer
Doctors aren't doing a good job of warning young women to avoid
getting pregnant when they're taking prescription drugs that can cause
birth defects, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal
Medicine.

The study of nearly 500,000 women found that nearly half of the women
taking the medicines didn't get counseling from their doctor about using
contraceptives or other birth control measures, while researchers noted
that the study might overestimate the problem because the data is from
health plan billing codes, which don't have the same detailed medical
histories as patient medical charts, reported the Associated Press. Even
with the study's limitations, it is clear that many women aren't getting
the message about avoiding pregnancy while taking certain drugs that may
cause birth defects, including some antibiotics, acne medications,
cholesterol reducers, anti-seizure drugs, sleep aids and blood thinners,
the Associated Press added.

Associated Press, September 17, 2007
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