my doctor prescribed me something i shouldn't use in pregnancy

[VeryDistressed]

A few weeks ago I saw a prescribed at my doctors surgery (don't think it was a gp, maybe a nurse) she knew I was pregnant. We spoke about my pregnancy.

I was there for piles. She prescribed me some suppositories. I've use a few. Then read on the box that they shouldn't be used in pregnancy. The nurse/doctor didn't advise me they weren't safe to use. A soon as I realised, I stopped using them.

I feel terrible. I've read the problems these can cause to my baby. I don't know what to do. I feel I should have been told there was a risk. So I could make the decision of whether to use them or not. I'm so scared I've done something terrible to my baby.

I don't know who to contact about this. Obviously I'm going to call my midwife but I feel I need to make a complaint to the surgery. I'm so upset that I stupidly didn't read the box. I assumed they would prescribe me something unsuitable.

I did see a different doctor last week and he told me not to use them. I hadn't read the side effects until just now. I feel sick to thick I might have hurt her.

Firstly, remember that any risks are only small % so in liklihood baby will be fine.

What medication was it and how far along are you?

I'd make an appt with GP and with midwife and depending on what they say I'd raise a complaint. Why did GP tell you to stop? What else did he say?

The gp said there was a lack of evidence for use in pregnancy in almost all drugs, as ethically you can't get a pregnant person into a clinical trial.

This is what it says about the product online.

I just feel I should have been told "you can take this, but there's a small risk to the baby". I would have made the choice to not use it!

Pretty much every medication is to be used during pregnancy at doctors discretion- has another GP told you this medication is actually dangerous- or is it the over the counter information you're going on. You e said yourself- medications cant be tested in pregnancy- but HCP can make decisions and do so regarding perceived risk- which is sounds like they did for you.

They should have explained the risks to you but realistically there are very few medications which are 'safe' to use in pregnancy because very few have ever been tested.

Many things that are safe from the 2nd trimester onwards aren’t recommended for use in the first trimester. Including bio-oil.

What I'm trying to find out/understand. Is whether I should have been informed of the risks.

What was the product?

If you are in the 2nd or 3rd trimester and the risks, from what I can see, are all 1st trimester then they don’t apply to you.

Where is that screenshot that you posted from
OP?

You can't be informed of every single risk. No doctor can know every single risk associated with every single medicine. They will know the major risks and main contra indications.

Many drugs that suggest caution in pregnancy can be and are used.
Some are a definite no. Some aren't.

I’ve been using pile suppositories in pregnancy too - all fine. I’m also on Codiene - this is not licensed for use in pregnancy either but commonly prescribed.

You should definitely complain. That is so irresponsible.

I’m sure your baby will be fine but you shouldn’t have been put in this position.

Perhaps speak to a pharmacist. There may be a certain time in pregnancy that the use of this medicine is potentially dangerous.

What’s the actual medication. Suppositories aren’t really absorbed so advice might relate to those drugs if given orally etc

Did you not get a patient information leaflet with the medication?

What were you prescribed?

Almost all medications will say not to use during pregnancy on the box, but as a doctor you make a decision based on the risks, which obviously vary from medication to medication and from the way the medication is used. For example, generally an oral medication will carry more risks than a cream or ointment will. How far along you are in your pregnancy is also important, some medications are too risky to take early in pregnancy, but can be used in the third trimester, and for some it’s the other way around.

If you are worried I would either go back to the GP or speak to a pharmacist. If you then feel that you should have been explicitly told about the risks (which is reasonable) then complaining to the practice manager is probably the best way forwards.

Sometimes doctors will prescribe something considered safe but which hasn't been tested. Not sure if it's on the GP, pharmacist or you to confirm if it's safe.

What did the GP who told you to stop say?
What did you say in response?

Nothing stopping you raising a concern with the surgery

My gp also prescribed me something he shouldnt have when I was in the first trimester. Luckily I checked with the chemist when I went to get the prescription and they warned against it.

Pretty much all medication 'shouldnt be prescribed in pregnancy' as none of it can ethically be tested on pregnant women and so in theory none of it is completely safe. However some medication they can make a reasonably good guess that it probably wont harm a developing baby.....some of it they can make a reasonably good guess from knowledge of how that medication works, that it WILL harm a developing baby....
but quite a lot of meds are just listed as not for use in pregnancy because they cannot prove without a doubt that it wont have some effect on a fetus.... it sounds like that's what you have been prescribed here.... which means that women wont have generally reported bad side effects or harm to the fetus during pregnancy, its just that they cany be ABSOLUTELY sure it's totally fine because they cannot test it properly.
Really it's up to you now whether you take it, but personally I would as the risks are so small. You've probably got the same risk of harm, actually maybe even less, to the fetus as just going near the pollution from traffic... but you probably do that quite often because its necessary in your life. If this medication is necessary to you then I'd personally use it as the risk to your baby would be incredibly small.
Doctors will only warn you if there is real reason to believe it might harm your pregnancy. They wont actively warn you if it's just that something cannot be tested during pregnancy. If it's just the makers of the medication covering their backs legally. Even though things cant be tested if they were actually a danger they would see negative reports from pregnant women who had used the medication... if they havent then I dont think theres any real reason for concern. The GPs will have more access to info about the particular medication than you do.

I've been prescribed things during pregnancy which have said on the packet not safe for use in pregnancy. I have had two completely healthy NT children....

Reading that labeling it sounds like they did make a mistake. It sounds more specific than the general "this hasn't been tested in pregnancy". There are treatments which are safer and those should have been tried first. The risks are probably absolutely miniscule though, especially as you stopped using them.

Advice from the British medical formulary:

"Pregnancy
Bulk forming laxatives are not absorbed, and are therefore safe for use in pregnant women (see Pregnancy, under Constipation). No topical haemorrhoidal preparations are licensed for use during pregnancy.

If treatment with a topical haemorrhoidal preparation is required, a soothing preparation containing simple, soothing products (not local anaesthetics or corticosteroids) can be considered."

You still haven't specified the product you were prescribed

Anusol Soothing Relief Suppositories. Used in the second trimester.

I fully understand and am aware that there are very few medicines proven safe for use in pregnancy.

A lot will say to consult with your doctor before using in pregnancy. And will have details saying, "we have no safety data for this product for use in pregnancy"

Why I'm so upset is because this one specifically say not to use. And lists the issues that it can & has caused.

I just feel I should have been informed of the risks so I could make the decision. Like when you go on the pill and they tell you there is an increased risk of blood clots. I can then decide if I want to take that risk. I personally wouldn't of chosen to possibly put my baby at risk.

As others have said, the practice manager is the person you want to write to if it's not on their website you can phone and ask for an address or email. Just say exactly what you said in that last message. They should record it so they don't make the same mistake again.