Abstract
Drug administration can pose problems during pregnancy and requires careful evaluation of the risk:benefit ratio. This is well known with systemically administered drugs but more difficult to evaluate in the case of topical therapy, which reduces systemic diffusion and, hence, potential embryo- or feto-toxicity. In this review, we evaluate the risk:benefit ratio of both topical and systemic dermatologic drugs in order to provide pregnant women with clear information about the risks of any medication they are prescribed. In addition, fear of adverse events and of eventual prosecution must be balanced with the need to treat the expectant mother and the benefits.