Which drug used to treat syphilis is contraindicated in pregnancy?

Which drug used to treat syphilis is contraindicated in pregnancy?

• A. Tetracycline
• B. Metronidazole
• C. Miconazole
• D. Clotrimazole

Answer: (A)

Tetracycline is avoided in pregnancy because it can harm the developing fetus. It crosses the placenta and can cause permanent enamel discoloration and hypoplasia of the teeth, and it may affect bone growth. For maternal syphilis, penicillin G is the proven and preferred treatment during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. If a patient has a penicillin allergy, desensitization is used rather than switching to a non-penicillin antibiotic. The other options listed are antifungals or are not used to treat syphilis, so they aren’t appropriate choices for this condition in pregnancy.

Tetracycline is avoided in pregnancy because it can harm the developing fetus. It crosses the placenta and can cause permanent enamel discoloration and hypoplasia of the teeth, and it may affect bone growth. For maternal syphilis, penicillin G is the proven and preferred treatment during pregnancy to prevent congenital syphilis. If a patient has a penicillin allergy, desensitization is used rather than switching to a non-penicillin antibiotic. The other options listed are antifungals or are not used to treat syphilis, so they aren’t appropriate choices for this condition in pregnancy.