Oral antifungal drug associated with risks of miscarriage

The use of Fluconazole, a commonly used medication used to treat vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy has been linked to higher chances of miscarriage, a new study reveals.

Vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis is common and affect about 75 percent of women worldwide. It is caused by overgrowth of normal yeast that are present in the vagina.

Oral Fluconazole is often used during pregnancy, though it’s manufacturers warn that it can harm an unborn baby if taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) showed that taking any dose of oral Fluconazole while pregnant posed higher chances of miscarriage.

“If the higher dosage of the medication, that is over 150ml,  are taken during the first three months of pregnancy, then there are high chances of the newborn to have heart defect,” said Dr Anick Berard of  Université de Montréal.

The researchers reviewed data on 441,949 pregnancies between 1998-2015 and filled prescriptions on the pregnant women. They discovered that ingesting oral Fluconazole was linked to adverse outcomes.

Read: AFDB and partners unite in major push against malnutrition -‘the silent killer’

Even though the study is consistent, more research is required as the study size has been regarded as still small.