Drug use for the pregnant or lactating patient

Abstract

The dental patient who is pregnant or lactating may require management involving the administration or prescription of drugs. The approach of completely avoiding all drugs may not permit appropriate treatment of the patient and most often is not warranted. This article reviews the current considerations in the use of drugs in the dental patient who is either pregnant or lactating. The safety of the local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, analgesics, antimicrobials, and sedatives used in dentistry is discussed.