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How Dangerous Bactrim Is For The Fetus ?
Question: I just found out I am pregnant. If I remember the first day of my last period correctly, I am just a little over 5 weeks pregnant. My concern is I was taking Bactrim during week 4 & 5 of pregnancy. I was prescribed a 30 day supply at 1 tablet (800/160) per day for acne. Once I found out I was pregnant, I immediately stopped taking Bactrim. I am really worried though because I read a lot of articles online of how dangerous Bactrim is for the fetus. I am wondering what category is Bactrim as it says mixed things online. Also, I read the side effects could be cleft lip and neural tube defects. Are the organs and facial features developing after week 5? Or should I be concerned? I've read multiple different things online ranging from Bactrim being bad if taken in first trimester but also have read its worse if taken during late pregnancy so I am confused. Thank you so much in advance for your answer.
Brief Answer:
Should be avoided in early pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Bactrim is a pregnancy category C drug. It needs to be avoided during first trimester. Using it before 12 weeks is associated with increased chances of birth defects in the baby. Since you have stopped taking it after 4th week, it is not likely to affect the baby much as the neural tube development mainly happens after 5th week. Do go for a regular ultrasound scans to detect any abnormality early.
I hope this answers your query.
Regards.
Dr.Tayal.
Should be avoided in early pregnancy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Bactrim is a pregnancy category C drug. It needs to be avoided during first trimester. Using it before 12 weeks is associated with increased chances of birth defects in the baby. Since you have stopped taking it after 4th week, it is not likely to affect the baby much as the neural tube development mainly happens after 5th week. Do go for a regular ultrasound scans to detect any abnormality early.
I hope this answers your query.
Regards.
Dr.Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Hi thank you very much for your response. Another concern is the risk of cleft lip. At what week do the facial features develop in the fetus? Also what about the heart? I believe there were risks associated with that as well?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The facial features start developing after 6 weeks. The heart develops at 4-5 weeks. The risk is very low in your case. No need to worry.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The facial features start developing after 6 weeks. The heart develops at 4-5 weeks. The risk is very low in your case. No need to worry.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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