New website addresses safety of meds and substances in pregnancy/lactation

First Exposure has launched a new, bilingual (FR/EN) digital information hub and research network that provides evidence-based information to healthcare providers and the public on the safety of medications, plant and environmental substances and other exposures during pregnancy and lactation.1 The First Exposure program, based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, involves a wide network of researchers, physicians, nurses and toxicologists, as well as experts in privacy issues, literature review and science communication.2 Medications As the website is newly launched, information is currently available for only four medications: dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Information for each drug is organized into the following specific categories:1 General information Pre-pregnancy Pregnancy Paternal exposure Pregnancy health Newborn Lactation Long-term outcomes Equity and diversity Harm reduction Practitioner summary References Information is not yet available in all of the above categories. For example, for dextromethorphan, the “Paternal exposure” section advises readers to “Please check back. We are in the process of reviewing if there is available information on the effects of paternal exposure to dextromethorphan.”1 Health topics The website also currently includes four health topics: treating the common cold in pregnancy and lactation; influenza vaccine in pregnancy and lactation; fentanyl in pregnancy and lactation; and topical treatments for vaginal yeast infections in pregnancy and lactation.1 First Exposure Medical Content Director, Cindy Maxwell, indicated that “Over the coming months and years, First Exposure plans to add more medications and plant medicines as well as environmental substances to the website, so Canadians can benefit from accessing up-to-date, evidence-based information to make safer choices for themselves.”3 The First Exposure database is expected to grow to include up to 500 prescription and over-the-counter medications.3 First Exposure is initially offering the website only. However, as the service grows, it plans to provide additional services, such as a call centre, a clinical program to help patients review their medication and pregnancy health records with a physician specialist, as well as a future program to offer real-time advice and, eventually, virtual care.3 First Exposure maintains strict review processes to ensure information presented on the website is current and accurate. However, if users identify information that appears to be inaccurate or incomplete, they are encouraged to provide feedback to First Exposure (use the website “Contact Us” form or send an email to info@firstexposure.ca).3 References First Exposure website (accessed November 23, 2023). Taggart K. Safe to take? New UofT program to provide info on exposures to medicines in pregnancy and lactation. June 9, 2022. (accessed November 23, 2023). First Exposure. Media kit, 2023. (accessed November 23, 2023).

New website addresses safety of meds and substances in pregnancy/lactation

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