Question

Which types of drugs taken by a pregnant patient are more likely to have effects on a fetus?

1) Drugs that are highly polar
2) Ionized drugs
3) Lipid-soluble drugs
4) Protein-bound drugs

Answer 1

Lipid-soluble drugs are more likely to affect a fetus since they can easily cross the placental barrier, unlike highly polar, ionized, or protein-bound drugs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the types of drugs mentioned, lipid-soluble drugs are more likely to have effects on a fetus.

Drugs that can cross the placental barrier are more likely to affect the fetus. The placental transfer of drugs is largely determined by their molecular characteristics. Lipid-soluble drugs can easily cross cell membranes, including the placenta, because they can diffuse through the lipid layers.

Therefore, these drugs have a higher potential to reach the fetus and cause effects. In contrast, drugs that are highly polar or ionized are less likely to cross the placental barrier because they cannot easily penetrate lipid membranes. Similarly, drugs that are strongly protein-bound are less likely to cross since only the free, unbound fraction of a drug is available for transfer to the fetus.