CDC Study Finds High Rate of Pain Medication Used by Women of Child-Bearing Age

CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published a new study looking at how often women aged 15-44 years filled a prescription for specific pain medications, called opioids.CDC researchers found that during 2008–2012, on average, 28% of women aged 15-44 years with private health insurance and 39% of women enrolled in Medicaid filled a prescription written by a healthcare provider for an opioid medication. We welcome you to visit here to read a summary of the key findings from this paper or read the article here.

Why this is important Taking these medications early in pregnancy can increase the risk for some birth defects (such as spina bifida) and other poor pregnancy outcomes (such as preterm birth or low birth weight). Women who use prescription opioids also have an increased risk of death from an overdose. Women who are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, should discuss with their health care professional the risks and benefits for any medication they are taking or considering. CDC Activities on Medication Use in Pregnancy: Treating for Two CDC’s Treating for Two Initiative is aimed at providing better information to women and their healthcare providers about medication use during pregnancy. You can learn more about Treating for Two at www.cdc.gov/treatingfortwo. More Information ·         For more information about medications and pregnancy, visit www.cdc.gov/pregnancymedication or www.cdc.gov/treatingfortwo ·         Do you have questions about how medications you are taking may affect a pregnancy?MotherToBaby.org can help you find the answers. ·         On January 9, 2015, FDA released a new Drug Safety Communication on Pain Medicine Use during Pregnancy. For more information, visit http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm429117.htm