Phoenix, Arizona – Breastfeeding and expectant women have a new, cost-effective resource to research use of over-the-counter and prescription medications thanks to MommyMeds(TM). The smartphone app was unveiled today at the 2014 International Lactation Consultant Association Conference.
The app, which is a product of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) InfantRisk Center, brings mothers access to up-to-date information on medications and their safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding for $1.99.
“This is a landmark day for the health and safety of women with infants, of all economic standing,” said InfantRisk Center Executive Director Thomas Hale, Ph.D., R.Ph., one of the world’s leading experts in perinatal pharmacology and the use of medications. “The new app makes it possible for moms to have immediate access to the most up-to-date information on medications anytime, and help them make the best possible decisions when it comes to the health of their babies.”
Hale, who serves as professor of pediatrics and associate dean of research at the TTUHSC School of Medicine, has spent the past 25 years developing a database of evidence-based information on the use of thousands of medications in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Hale’s Medications and Mothers’ Milk is considered to be the best source of medication information for health care providers internationally. MommyMeds(TM) now makes this essential information available to a global audience.
Resources in the app include:
* Reliable safety ratings and other information on more than 20,000 drugs, syndromes and other products
* Enter a product name, sort by category or scan a barcode to obtain product safety information and determine if it is safe for use
* Major lists of appropriate drugs for various conditions during pregnancy or breastfeeding (headache, nausea, allergies, etc.)
* Recalled product information with push notification ability
* Exclusive promotional specials and coupons for products
“MommyMeds(TM) is vital for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers,” said TTUHSC President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D. “The app could become as synonymous with prenatal care as folic acid and ultrasounds. We commend Dr. Hale and the InfantRisk Center for their significant contribution to the health and safety of women and infants.”
More than 4 million women give birth in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Virtually all of these women will use at least one medication during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Of these women, 77 percent will initiate breastfeeding and most will use at least one prescription or over-the-counter medication during lactation.
About MommyMeds(TM):
MommyMeds(TM) is recognized as a finalist for the 2013 Fierce Innovation Awards: Healthcare Edition in the category of Health Information Exchange as an innovative, industry-leading product by a distinguished panel of CIOs and other executives from renowned U.S. hospitals and health care systems, including the Mayo Clinic, Boston Children’s Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
About the InfantRisk Center:
The TTUHSC InfantRisk Center strives to educate health care providers and the general public to reduce birth defects and create healthy breastfeeding relationships. The center’s highly-trained staff provides current, evidence-based information about the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
* Requires iOS 6.1 or later
* 14.4 MB
Pricing and Availability:
MommyMeds 1.1.2 is $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide through the App Store in the Medical category. There is also an Android version available on Google Play. For more information, visit the InfantRisk Center online or follow @infantrisk on Twitter.
InfantRisk Center
MommyMeds 1.1.2
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App Icon
Based in Amarillo, Texas, the InfantRisk Center maintains an international call center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Since opening in 2010, its staff has responded to more than 27,000 calls from physicians, lactation consultants and mothers, as well as 1.1 million Web visitors from all over the world. All Material and Software (C) Copyright 2014 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks and registered trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.