Pharmacologic basis of drug-nutrient interaction related to drug abuse during pregnancy

Extract: Maternal use of drugs during pregnancy places the fetus at risk for developmental problems. Many drugs affect the bioavailability of nutrients needed for development and maturation of the embryo. General principles of drug absorption, biotransformation, and excretion apply equally to prescribed drugs and to abused drugs. However, pharmacokinetics and drug disposition are altered by pregnancy. The pharmacologic and biochemical characteristics of common drugs of abuse are reviewed. These drugs include narcotics (morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, hydromorphinone, meperidine), depressants and tranquilizers (pentobarbital, secobarbital, diazepam), stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine), marijuana, and hallucinogens (LSD, phencyclidine). Interactions of these and other drugs with nutrients and nutritional status are discussed where they are known.(author)