The prevalence of ingestion of medication by pregnant women was record
ed in 236 patients attending the antenatal clinics at New Somerset and
Peninsula Maternity Hospitals. Patients were interviewed over two per
iods, 23 - 26 July and 2 - 12 December 1991. Of these women, 168 (71,2
%) took a total of 283 drugs from 18 different categories. One hundred
and forty women (59%) took prescribed and 68 (28,8%) non-prescribed m
edications. The most commonly used medicines were analgesics, cough an
d cold medicines, antibiotics, laxatives and antacids. Analgesics that
contain aspirin constituted 13,8% of self-administered medicines and
2% of prescribed medicines. The most common sources of non-prescribed
medication were pharmacies (60%), followed by supermarkets (32,5%). On
e hundred and sixty-two women (68,6%) received no advice on medication
during their pregnancy. Of those who received advice, formal sources
(doctor/nurse/pharmacist/midwife) accounted for 56,8% and informal sou
rces (family/friends/magazines) for 43,3% of advice; 59,7% of women di
d not know that certain medicines are unsafe during pregnancy. Our dat
a indicate that pregnant women in Cape Town take a large number of med
icines, often without being aware of the potential adverse effects. Th
is study shows the need for education in this regard, especially at an
tenatal clinics, pharmacies and supermarkets.