MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine
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A substantial number of women of childbearing age are prescribed psychotropic drugs, and because nearly 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, many women are still taking them upon becoming pregnant. This article reviews the various classes of psychotropic drugs that are commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders--antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, lithium and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors--in terms of their safety during pregnancy. ⋯ There is also an increasingly large body of evidence-based information in the literature indicating that it may be more harmful to both the mother and her baby if she is not treated appropriately when suffering from a severe psychiatric disorder. Therefore, it is important for women with psychiatric disorders and their healthcare providers to have access to evidenced-based information about the safety of these drugs when taken during pregnancy to ensure that women make an informed decision as to whether they should continue with the pharmacotherapy they have been using to treat their condition.
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To describe allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis pathophysiology and review the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, efficacy, and safety data for omalizumab. ⋯ Omalizumab has demonstrated efficacy in children, adults, and adolescents with uncontrolled moderate to severe allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Long-term safety beyond 52 weeks needs continued evaluation.