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Wu HN, Liang Y, Li LL, Jiang HY, Xu LL. The safety of benzodiazepines and related drugs during pregnancy: an updated meta-analysis of cohort studies. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 310:45-54. [PMID: 38806942 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07557-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The prevalence of benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZRDs) use during pregnancy increased sharply in recent years. Thus, there are concerns regarding the pregnancy outcomes following exposure to BZRDs. METHODS Two electronic databases were thoroughly searched to identify related clinical studies published from inception until June 2023. English-language cohort studies with high-quality comparing antenatal BZRDs exposure to an unexposed group on any delivery outcome were included. RESULTS Ten cohort studies that estimated adverse neonatal outcomes associated with exposure to BZRDs during pregnancy were included. Exposure to BZRDs during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of congenital malformation [odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.13, p < 0.001], heart malformation (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22, p = 0.003), preterm birth (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.23-1.7, p < 0.001), SGA (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.29, P < 0.001), LBW (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.25-1.6, p = 0.001) or low Apgar score (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.08-1.87, p = 0.011),compared with no exposure. Further analyses limited to the first trimester exposure yielded consistent results. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to BZRDs during pregnancy may be associated with several adverse neonatal outcomes. However, we could not rule out the potential indication confounding factor, further studies with high-quality that control for important confounders are still needed to verify our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai-Neng Wu
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ling-Li Li
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hai-Yin Jiang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lian-Lian Xu
- Affiliated Mental Health Center & Hangzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China.
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Meng LC, Lin CW, Chuang HM, Chen YY, Shang CY, Wu CY, Chen LK, Hsiao FY. Prescription Patterns and Predisposing Factors of Benzodiazepine and Z-Hypnotic Use During Pregnancy: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2024; 33:e5847. [PMID: 38898542 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The use of benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics during pregnancy has raised significant concerns in recent years. However, there are limited data that capture the prescription patterns and predisposing factors in use of these drugs, particularly among women who have been long-term users of benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics before pregnancy. METHODS This population-based cohort study comprised 2 930 988 pregnancies between 2004 and 2018 in Taiwan. Women who were dispensed benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during pregnancy were identified and further stratified into groups based on their status before pregnancy: long-term users (with a supply of more than 180 days within a year), short-term users (with a supply of less than 180 days within a year), and nonusers. Trends in the use of benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics and concomitant use with antidepressants or opioids were assessed. Logistic regression models were utilized to identify factors associated with use of these drugs during pregnancy, and interrupted time series analyses (ITSA) were employed to evaluate utilization patterns of these drugs across different pregnancy-related periods. RESULTS The overall prevalence of benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic use was 3.5% during pregnancy. Among prepregnancy long-term users, an upward trend was observed. The concomitant use of antidepressants or opioids among exposed women increased threefold (from 8.6% to 23.1%) and sixfold (from 0.3% to 1.7%) from 2004 to 2018, respectively. Women with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as alcohol abuse (OR 2.48; 95% CI, 2.02-3.03), drug abuse (OR 10.34; 95% CI, 8.46-12.64), and tobacco use (OR 2.19; 95% CI, 1.96-2.45), as well as those with psychiatric disorders like anxiety (OR 6.99; 95% CI, 6.77-7.22), insomnia (OR 15.99; 95% CI, 15.55-16.45), depression (OR 9.43; 95% CI, 9.07-9.80), and schizophrenia (OR 21.08; 95% CI, 18.76-23.69), and higher healthcare utilization, were more likely to use benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during pregnancy. ITSA revealed a sudden decrease in use of benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics after recognition of pregnancy (level change -0.55 percentage point; 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.51). In contrast, exposures to benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics increased significantly after delivery (level change 0.12 percentage point; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.16). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort study, an increased trend of benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic use during pregnancy among prepregnancy long-term users, as well as concomitant use with antidepressants or opioids were found. The findings have highlighted the existence of various risk factors associated with the use of these drugs during pregnancy. Utilization patterns varied across different stages of pregnancy, highlighting the need for prescription guidelines and educational services for women using these drugs during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chieh Meng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Hui-Min Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan Drug Relief Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yung Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yung Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Wu
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwanese Society of Suicidology, Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Kung Chen
- Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital Managed by Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kim K, Liu G, Dick AW, Choi SW, Agbese E, Corr TE, Hsuan C, Wright MS, Park S, Velott D, Leslie DL. Timing of treatment for opioid use disorder among birthing people. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 161:209289. [PMID: 38272119 PMCID: PMC11090704 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) has increased over time. Although effective treatment options exist, little is known about the extent to which women receive treatment during pregnancy and at what stage of pregnancy care is initiated. METHODS Using a national private health insurance claims database, we identified women aged 13-49 who gave birth in 2006-2019 and had an OUD or nonfatal opioid overdose (NFOO) diagnosis during the year prior to or at delivery. We then identified women who received their first OUD treatment prior to or during pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated how rates and timing of the initial OUD treatment changed over time. Furthermore, we examined factors associated with early initiation of OUD treatment among birthing people. RESULTS Of the 7057 deliveries from 6747 women with OUD or NFOO, 63.3 % received any OUD treatment. Rates of OUD treatment increased from 42.9 % in 2006 to 69 % in 2019. Of those treated, in 2006, 54.5 % received their first treatment prior to conception and 24.2 % initiated care during the 1st trimester. In 2019, 68.9 % received their first treatment prior to conception, and 15.1 % initiated care during the 1st trimester. The percentage of women who were first treated in the 2nd trimester or later decreased from 21.2 % in 2006 to 16.1 % in 2019. Factors associated with early treatment initiation include being 25 years or older (age 25-34: aOR, 1.51, 95 % CI, 1.28-1.78; age 35-49: aOR, 1.82, 95 % CI, 1.39-2.37), living in urban areas (aOR, 1.28; 95 % CI, 1.05-1.56), having pre-existing behavioral health comorbidities such as anxiety disorders (aOR, 1.8; 95 % CI, 1.40-2.32), mood disorders (aOR, 1.63; 95 % CI, 1.02-2.61), and substance use disorder other than OUD (aOR, 2.56; 95 % CI, 2.03-3.32). CONCLUSION Overall, rates of OUD treatment increased over time, and more women initiated OUD treatment prior to conception. Despite these improvements, over one-third of pregnant women with OUD/NFOO either received no treatment or did not initiate care until the 3rd trimester in 2019. Future research should examine barriers to OUD treatment initiation among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungha Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | | | - Sung W Choi
- School of Public Affairs, The Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - Edeanya Agbese
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Tammy E Corr
- Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Charleen Hsuan
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Megan S Wright
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA; Penn State Law, University Park, PA, USA; Department of Humanities, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Sujeong Park
- School of Public Affairs, The Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - Diana Velott
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Douglas L Leslie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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Meng LC, Lin CW, Chuang HM, Chen LK, Hsiao FY. Benzodiazepine Use During Pregnancy and Risk of Miscarriage. JAMA Psychiatry 2024; 81:366-373. [PMID: 38150230 PMCID: PMC10753441 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Importance Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy has raised significant concerns due to the potential harmful effects of this drug class on neonates. Studies on the association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of miscarriage are limited. Objective To quantify the risk of miscarriage associated with benzodiazepine use during pregnancy after controlling for unmeasured confounders and exposure time trends. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a nationwide, population-based case-time-control study using Taiwan's National Birth Certificate Application database and the National Health Insurance database. Pregnancies resulting in miscarriage between 2004 and 2018 were included in the case group and were 1:1 matched with exposure time-trend control individuals using disease risk score, considering demographic characteristics and prepregnancy comorbidities. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to March 2023. Exposures Discordant exposures to benzodiazepines during risk period (1-28 days before miscarriage) and 2 reference periods (31-58 days and 181-208 days before the last menstrual period) were compared for each pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures Miscarriage was defined as any pregnancy loss occurring between the first prenatal care visit (usually 8 weeks) and the 19th completed week of pregnancy. Results This study comprised a total of 3 067 122 pregnancies among 1 957 601 women, 136 134 of which (4.4%) resulted in miscarriage. The mean (SD) age of the study population was 30.61 (5.91) years. The use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of miscarriage (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% CI, 1.52-1.87), and consistent findings were observed across multiple sensitivity analyses considering different time windows and accounting for misclassification. In subgroup analyses, an increased risk of miscarriage was associated with each commonly used individual benzodiazepine, ranging from case-time-control ORs of 1.39 (95% CI, 1.17-1.66) for alprazolam to 2.52 (95% CI, 1.89-3.36) for fludiazepam. Conclusions and Relevance This nationwide case-time-control study revealed an increased risk of miscarriage associated with benzodiazepine use during pregnancy after accounting for measurable confounders, and results were unlikely to be due to unmeasured confounding. These findings underscore the necessity for health care professionals to meticulously balance the risk-benefit ratio when considering the use of benzodiazepines to treat psychiatric and sleep disorders during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chieh Meng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Hui-Min Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Kung Chen
- Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital (Managed by Taipei Veterans General Hospital), Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Meng LC, Lin CW, Lin YC, Huang ST, Chen YY, Shang CY, Wu CY, Chen LK, Chan KA, Hsiao FY. Association between maternal benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic use in early pregnancy and the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and small for gestational age: a nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:499-508. [PMID: 37353262 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00148-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines and Z-hypnotics are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia during pregnancy, but the evidence regarding potential adverse neonatal outcomes is insufficient because of poor control for confounding factors in previous studies. We therefore aimed to evaluate the association between the use of benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during early pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes (stillbirth, preterm birth, and small for gestational age). METHODS We did a nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan using three data sources: Taiwan's National Birth Certificate Application database, the National Health Insurance database, and the Maternal and Child Health Database. The study cohort included all singleton pregnancies of females aged 15-50 years who gave birth between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2018. Pregnancies without valid information were excluded. Benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic use was defined as at least one benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic prescription during early pregnancy (the first 20 weeks of pregnancy). The primary outcomes were stillbirth (fetal death at or after 20 weeks' gestation), preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation), and small for gestational age (birthweight below the 10th percentile for gestational age by sex). Logistic regression models with propensity score fine stratification weighting were used to control for potential confounders and examine the association between benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics use during early pregnancy and the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were reported. We used confounding by indication control analyses, a sibling control study, and a paternal negative control design to account for unmeasured confounders. The risk associated with exposure during late pregnancy was also assessed. FINDINGS Between Oct 7, 2021, and June 10, 2022, we analysed the study data. The cohort included 2 882 292 singleton pregnancies; of which, 75 655 (2·6%) of the mothers were dispensed one or more benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics during early pregnancy. Women exposed during pregnancy were older (mean age at delivery was 31·0 years [SD 5·3] for exposed women vs 30·6 years [4·9] for unexposed women), had a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and were more likely to have unhealthy lifestyle behaviours than unexposed women. Information about ethnicity was not available. Early pregnancy exposure was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes compared with non-exposure. The propensity score-weighted OR was 1·19 (95% CI 1·10-1·28) for stillbirth, 1·19 (1·16-1·23) for preterm birth, and 1·16 (1·13-1·19) for small for gestational age. After controlling for confounding by indication, there was no significant association between drug exposure and stillbirth risk; however, this attenuation was not observed for preterm birth and small for gestational age. In models with sibling controls that accounted for familial confounding and genetic factors, early exposure to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics was not associated with an increased risk of stillbirth and preterm birth, but it remained significantly associated with small for gestational age. The paternal negative control analyses with point estimates close to the null indicated no strong evidence of unmeasured confounding shared by the mother and the father. Substantially increased risks of stillbirth and preterm birth were observed for late pregnancy exposure. INTERPRETATION Benzodiazepine or Z-hypnotic use in early pregnancy is not associated with a substantial increase in the risk of stillbirth and preterm birth after accounting for unmeasured confounding factors. Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of small for gestational age and caution should be taken when prescribing these medications during late pregnancy. FUNDING National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. TRANSLATION For the Taiwanese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Chieh Meng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Yi-Chin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Tsung Huang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Yung Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yung Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Wu
- Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Nursing, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwanese Society of Suicidology & Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Kung Chen
- Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - K Arnold Chan
- Institute of Epidemiology and Prevention Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; TriNetX LLX, London, UK
| | - Fei-Yuan Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Meinhofer A, Martinez ML, Palmsten K. Patterns in Prescription Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants Filled by Pregnant Medicaid Beneficiaries. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:210-213. [PMID: 36574236 PMCID: PMC9857806 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study analyzes patterns in prescriptions filled by pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries for opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Meinhofer
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in humans and risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 137:104647. [PMID: 35367514 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
When used during pregnancy, benzodiazepines (BZDs) and related z-drugs could pass readily through the placenta and the foetal blood-brain barrier, where they can bind to γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors in the developing foetal brain. Yet, data on long-term safety of prenatal BZD and z-drug use and its impact on offspring neurodevelopment are inconclusive. In this systematic review, we qualitatively synthetize the existing evidence on maternal exposure to various BZDs and z-drugs during pregnancy and offspring cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and motor skills developmental outcomes. Nineteen studies were included. We used harvest plots to visualize the directions of reported associations. Despite several associations between distinct types of BZDs and z-drugs and an increased risk of outcomes within different neurodevelopmental domains were observed, a remarkable scarcity of overall research on the topic and considerable discrepancies in methodology, particularly towards controlling for confounding by indication, precluded drawing conclusions with a reasonable degree of certainty. We outline various research strategies to mitigate methodological limitations and provide directions for future empirical studies on the topic.
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Goetzl L, Darbinian N, Merabova N, Devane LC, Ramamoorthy S. Gestational Age Variation in Human Placental Drug Transporters. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:837694. [PMID: 35462922 PMCID: PMC9019509 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.837694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient and providers’ fear of fetal exposure to medications may lead to discontinuation of treatment, disease relapse, and maternal morbidity. Placental drug transporters play a critical role in fetal exposure through active transport but the majority of data are limited to the 3rd trimester, when the majority of organogenesis has already occurred. Our objective was to define gestational age (GA) dependent changes in protein activity, expression and modifications of five major placental drug transporters: SERT, P-gp, NET, BCRP and MRP3. Apical brush border membrane fractions were prepared from fresh 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester human placentas collected following elective pregnancy termination or planned cesarean delivery. A structured maternal questionnaire was used to identify maternal drug use and exclude exposed subjects. Changes in placental transporter activity and expression relative to housekeeping proteins were quantified. There was evidence for strong developmental regulation of SERT, NET, P-gp, BCRP and MRP3. P-gp and BCRP decreased with gestation (r = −0.72, p < 0.001 and r = −0.77, p < 0.001, respectively). Total SERT increased with gestation but this increase was due to a decrease in SERT cleavage products across trimesters. Uncleaved SERT increased with GA (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) while cleaved SERT decreased with GA (r = −0.94, p < 0.001). Apical membrane NET overall did not appear to be developmentally regulated (r = −0.08, p = 0.53). Two forms of MRP3 were identified; the 50 kD form did not change across GA; the 160 kD form was steady in the 1st and 2nd trimester and increased in the 3rd trimester (r = 0.24, p = 0.02). The 50 kD form was expressed at higher levels. The observed patterns of SERT, NET P-gp, BCRP and MRP3 expression and activity may be associated with transporter activity or decreased placental permeability in the 1st trimester to transporter specific substrates including commonly used psychoactive medications such as anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and amphetamines, while transport of nutrients and serotonin is important in the 1st trimester. Overall these observations are consistent with a strong protective effect during organogenesis. 3rd trimester estimates of fetal exposure obtained from cord blood likely significantly overestimate early fetal exposure to these medications at any fixed maternal dose.
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Zhao JP, Berthod C, Sheehy O, Kassaï B, Gorgui J, Bérard A. Prevalence and duration of prescribed opioid use during pregnancy: a cohort study from the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:800. [PMID: 34847870 PMCID: PMC8638412 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies show a rapid growth among pregnant women using high potency opioids for common pain management during their pregnancy. No study has examined the duration of treatment among strong opioid users and weak opioid users during pregnancy. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of prescribed opioid use during pregnancy, in Quebec; and to compare the duration of opioid treatment between strong opioid users and weak opioid users. Methods Using the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort (1998–2015), we included all pregnancies covered by the Quebec Public Prescription Drug Insurance Program. Opioid exposure was defined as filled at least one prescription for any opioid during pregnancy or before pregnancy but with a duration that overlapped the beginning of pregnancy. Prevalence of opioids use was calculated for all pregnancies, according to pregnancy outcome, trimester of exposure, and individual opioids. The duration of opioid use during pregnancy was analyzed according to 8 categories based on cumulative duration (< 90 days vs. ≥90 days), duration of action (short-acting vs. long-acting) and strength of the opioid (weak vs. strong). Results Of 442,079 eligible pregnancies, 20,921 (4.7%) were exposed to opioids. Among pregnancies ending with deliveries (n = 249,234), 5.4% were exposed to opioids; the prevalence increased by 40.3% from 3.9% in 1998 to 5.5% in 2015, more specifically a significant increase in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Weak opioid, codeine was the most commonly dispensed opioid (70% of all dispensed opioids), followed by strong opioid, hydromorphone (11%), morphine (10%), and oxycodone (5%). The prevalence of codeine use decreased by 47% from 4.3% in 2005 to 2.3% in 2015, accompanied by an increased use of strong opioid, morphine (0.029 to 1.41%), hydromorphone (0.115 to 1.08%) and oxycodone (0.022 to 0.44%), from 1998 to 2015. The average durations of opioid exposure were significantly longer among pregnancies exposed to strong opioid as compared to weak opioid regardless of the cumulative duration or duration of action (P < 0.05). Conclusions Given the differences in the safety profile between strong opioids and the major weak opioid codeine, the increased use of strong opioids during pregnancy with longer treatment duration raises public health concerns. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04270-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ping Zhao
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Christelle Berthod
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,University of Lyon 1, 69008, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, University of Lyon 1; CNRS, UMR 5558, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Odile Sheehy
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Behrouz Kassaï
- EPICIME-CIC 1407 Lyon, Inserm, Pharmacotoxicology Department, CHU-Lyon, 69677, Bron, France.,University of Lyon 1, 69008, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, University of Lyon 1; CNRS, UMR 5558, 69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jessica Gorgui
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175, Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada. .,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. .,EPICIME-CIC 1407 Lyon, Inserm, Pharmacotoxicology Department, CHU-Lyon, 69677, Bron, France. .,University of Lyon 1, 69008, Lyon, France. .,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, University of Lyon 1; CNRS, UMR 5558, 69622, Villeurbanne, France.
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