| Class
of Antibiotic |
Commonly
used Drugs |
Safety
in Pregnancy |
| Penicillins |
Ampicillin, Amoxycillin,
Cloxacillin, Penicillin |
No evidence of problems. |
| Cephalosporins |
Cephalexin |
No evidence of problems. |
| Macrolides |
Erythromycin |
No evidence of problems. |
| Aminoglycosides |
Gentamycin, Netilmicin |
Avoid- Risk of Foetal toxicity |
| Tetracycline |
Oxytetracycline,
Tetracycline, Minocycline |
Avoid- exposure at or after
12 weeks of gestation can affect developing teeth
and bones. |
| Quinolones |
Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin |
Avoid - Insufficient evidence of safety |
| Other Antibiotics |
Nitrofurantoin |
No evidence of problem |
| |
Metronidazole |
No evidence of increased foetal risk. However
to be used with care in the first trimenster. |
| |
Trimethoprim |
Avoid in the first
trimester. However no evidence of increased
foetal risk. |
