Q: I am a 30 years old woman and three months pregnant. I have been taking Avil 25 as suggested by my skin specialist since I had eczema problems from before pregnancy. Now, when I went to my gynaecologist and informed her about it, she said I shouldn't have taken it. What adverse effect will this have on the fetus?

A:Avil contains pheniramine maleate. It can be used during pregnancy provided it is essential. Being a very old drug, it has been taken by a very large number of women of childbearing age and no untoward side effects to the fetus have come to light. As a matter of policy during pregnancy only very essential medicines should be taken.