Perinatal pharmacology 1 (W.A.P.M.C.): effects of maternally-administered drug (before and during parturition) on foetal and neonatal well-being

ABSTRACT

"The so called ""placental barrier"" is no barrier to most drugs; except very large macromolecules e.g. heparin. For most drugs the placenta acts more like a sieve. Soluble free (unbound) drugs go through. Even some plasma protein-bound drugs can exchange unto placenta tissue protein and get across to the foetal side. Therefore; the foetus is generally exposed simultaneously to maternally-administered drugs."