Pregnancy and Drugs for Asthma, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure
A Reference of Drug Risk Categories in Table FormJanuary 31, 2002 Print-friendly version
Email this article | Page 1 | Introduction
| | Page 2 | Asthma Drugs
| | Page 3 | Diabetes Drugs
| | Page 4 | High Blood Pressure Drugs
| | Page 5 | High Blood Pressure Drugs (Cont.)
| | Page 6 | Sources of Information
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Introduction
Asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure are diseases that require chronic, lifelong treatment to prevent serious complications. Women with one or more of these diseases who wish to or do become pregnant must consider, along with their doctor, the use of medications to control their disease(s) and prevent complications.
NOTE: The decision to use a drug during pregnancy is based on risk versus benefit. Any questions or issues related to drug use in pregnancy should be directed to your doctor.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized the risk to the fetus, in the face of medication use during pregnancy. There are five (5) categories as summarized in the table below:
| Category |
Definition |
| A |
No harm or adverse effects seen in the fetus in clinical trials/studies in pregnant women during the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy. Also, no fetal adverse effects noted in the last six months (2nd and 3rd trimesters) of the pregnancy. |
| B |
Clinical studies do not show adverse effects on the fetus, when animal studies do...or...animal studies indicate there is no effect on the fetus, but clinical studies have not been performed. |
| C |
Animal studies have indicated adverse effects on the fetus or are not available, nor are there clinical studies in pregnant women. The risk of drug use must be considered in light of the benefit as animal studies have indicated fetal adverse effects. Benefit must outweigh the risk. Clinical studies in women during pregnancy have not been performed. |
| D |
Information exists showing evidence of fetal risk, however, the drug may be used as the benefit outweighs the risk. |
| X |
Fetal adverse effects noted and benefit of use does NOT outweigh the risks. These drugs are contraindicated in preganancy. |
|
The following tables present the risk categories for drugs used in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
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