17 Oct 2024
NDARC Webinar:
Maternal use of quit smoking medicines during pregnancy unlikely to increase the risk of birth defects in offspring
Maternal use of quit smoking medicines during pregnancy unlikely to increase the risk of birth defects in offspring
About this webinar:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline and bupropion are common quit smoking medicines; however, we do not know whether they are safe to use during pregnancy. This international study analysed health data from New Zealand, Australia (New South Wales), Norway, and Sweden to understand whether these medicines聽increased the risk of major birth defects when used in early pregnancy. The study found no evidence of an increased risk of major birth defects overall. It also found no evidence that NRT or varenicline increased the risk of birth defects in several body systems. These reassuring findings help pregnant women and healthcare providers weigh the benefits against the risks of using a quit smoking medicine.
About this speaker:
Dr Duong (Danielle) Tran is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Her research focuses on the use and the safety of medicines for treatment of smoking, alcohol and opioid dependence during pregnancy. She is passionate about leveraging population-based health data to generate real-world evidence that improves maternal and child health.
17 Oct 2024
Online event