What is the safest antibiotic choice for treating strep throat in a pregnant patient who has intolerance to erythromycin?

When treating strep throat in a pregnant patient, the safest antibiotic option is penicillin. Penicillin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that is well-established as the first-line treatment for streptococcal pharyngitis. It has a long history of safety during pregnancy, making it the preferred choice even in cases where other antibiotics are indicated but may present risks.

Pregnant patients have unique considerations regarding medication safety for both the mother and developing fetus. Penicillin has been classified as a pregnancy category B medication, meaning that studies in humans have not demonstrated any risk to the fetus in the first trimester and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters. This makes it a suitable and effective option for treating strep throat while minimizing potential complications.

In contrast, clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that is not typically recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the fetus. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is considered contraindicated in the first trimester due to the risk of teratogenic effects. Ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is also discouraged during pregnancy because of concerns regarding potential adverse effects on fetal development.

Thus, penicillin stands out as the safest and most appropriate choice for a pregnant woman with strep throat