Tips for using the BNF and BNFC effectively - e-newsletter September 2008

How can I ensure that a drug is safe to prescribe during pregnancy and breast-feeding?

• The prescribing notes in BNF and BNFC provide guidance on the drug treatment of common conditions that can occur during pregnancy and breast-feeding e.g. asthma, hypertension.
  
  
• Information about the use of specific drugs during pregnancy and breast-feeding can be found in Appendixes 4 and 5 of the BNF. In the Appendixes, drugs and drug groups are listed in alphabetical order of the generic drug names.
• In the digital version of the BNF, you can also access information in the Appendixes from links within the drug monographs. These are located either:
  • as cross-references to 'Appendix 4' or to 'Appendix 5' in the 'Cautions' and 'Contra-indications' of the drug monograph e.g. varenicline
    
    
  • or as cross-references to 'pregnancy' or 'breast-feeding' in 'Additional Information' at the head of a drug monograph e.g. flucloxacillin.
    
    
• As there are no Appendixes for pregnancy or breast-feeding in BNFC, information about the use of specific drugs during pregnancy and breast-feeding can be found directly in the drug monographs.