Background: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) affects a large proportion of pregnant women. In 1983, Bendectin((R)), the only FDA-approved drug for NVP, was removed from the market by its manufacturer due to legal costs based on claims of teratogenicity, which were subsequently proven to be unsubstantiated. In Canada, a generic form of Bendectin (Diclectin; a doxylamine/pyridoxine combination) has continued to be available, with increasing use over the last few years.
Objective: To characterize the attitudes, management and consequences of NVP among pregnant women in the USA, where no approved drug for NVP is available, and in Canada, where such a drug is available.
Design: Prospective, observational study.
Results: Women suffering from NVP (N = 1444) were interviewed, of which 42% were American and 58% were Canadian. The two groups had similar maternal characteristics and a similar distribution of severity of NVP, although among Canadian women the NVP continued for slightly longer. American respondents were treated significantly more often by an obstetrician as their primary caregiver, were more commonly advised by their caregiver to change their diet and/or lifestyle and to use non-pharmacological agents to manage their NVP, and more often perceived anti-emetics as posing an increased risk for malformations (all P < 0.001). Canadian respondents reported a family physician as their primary caregiver significantly more often, were more commonly advised to take anti-emetic medications and perceived their NVP as causing a concern to their unborn (all P < 0.001). American women experienced significantly larger weight loss, more hospitalizations and more time lost from paid work.
Conclusions: Lack of an approved drug for symptoms of NVP may be associated with unwarranted and preventable adverse health effects. Because this is an observational study, these associations do not necessarily prove causation.