What medication is used to treat Rh incompatibility during pregnancy?

Rho(D) immune globulin is the medication used to treat Rh incompatibility during pregnancy. This condition occurs when an Rh-negative mother is carrying an Rh-positive baby, which can lead to the mother's immune system producing antibodies that attack the baby's red blood cells. Rho(D) immune globulin works by preventing the mother’s immune system from responding to Rh-positive cells, thereby protecting the fetus from hemolytic disease.

This injection is typically administered around the 28th week of pregnancy and within 72 hours post-delivery if the baby is found to be Rh-positive. Ensuring the mother receives this treatment is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby, as it significantly reduces the risk of complications related to Rh incompatibility.

Other medications listed are used for different indications. Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat infections, hydroxyurea is primarily utilized in the management of certain blood disorders like sickle cell anemia, and magnesium sulfate is employed as a tocolytic agent to prevent preterm labor or to treat conditions like preeclampsia. Each of these medications has its own specific uses that do not address the immunologic reaction associated with Rh incompatibility.