The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of drug use by pregnant women assisted in primary care; classifying the medications used according to the risk according to the Food and Drug Administration and grouping drugs used according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Classification. A cross-sectional analytical study was developed in Maringá, Paraná. Data were collected between January and July 2012 through semi-structured interviews in households. The sample comprised 394 pregnant women at different gestational ages. Results revealed that 94.67% of the pregnant women (2.03%) used at least one medication without medical prescription and the most used drugs were antianemics, followed by antiemetics and analgesics. Data showed a statistically significant relationship between the use of medicines and marital conditions, trimester of pregnancy, chronic disease, mental illness and orientation of professionals at the Basic Health Units about medicines. It is noteworthy that, given the complexity of the theme, health professionals, especially nurses, should approach the subject in the care of pregnant women.
Cross-sectional studies; Primary health care; Pregnant women; Drug utilization; Women's health