©Pregnancy bliss 2008
Preventing asthma attack in pregnancy
Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) use in pregnancy
Asthma sufferers may be prescribed one of this group of drugs. LTRAs are normally used as prophylaxis i.e. to prevent attacks. Examples are Zafirlukast (Accolate®, Vanticon™) and Montelukast (Singulair®). Their safety in pregnancy cannot be absolutely guaranteed and therefore the standard advise is to avoid.
Those who are using these drugs prior to conception are usually advised to come off them once they conceive.
As discussed in the previous page, Sodium Cromoglycate, also used to prevent an asthma attack, is known to besafe for use in pregnancy.
Asthma behavior during pregnancy
The condition itself does not get worse and, in some cases, the attacks may lessen or be less severe. However, this is by no means standard and the active advice is to optimize prevention of attacks and treatment.
For anybody who has been on regular medication to prevent attacks, stopping this during pregnancy without medical advice is usually a mistake.
Oral steroids for asthma during pregnancy
Oral steroids such as Prednisolone do have a role in some cases of asthma in pregnancy as maintenance therapy. If prescribed, they should be used as they are safe. In fact, in normal dosage, these steroids do not cross the placenta and therefore do not reach the fetus.
In very high doses, minimal amounts may cross the placenta, but there is no undue adverse effect on the fetus.
Salbutamol (Ventolin®, Volmax®) use during pregnancy
Salbutamol is the most popular drug used in many countries for treating asthma. It
belongs to a group of drugs called â2-
Intal (Sodium cromoglycate) is safe to use as a prophylaxis in pregnancy but safety of drugs like Accolate® (below) in pregnancy cannot be guaranteed
