II. Background
- Pregnancy Categories will be replaced on medication bottles with specific warnings and precautions by 2020 in U.S.
- http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm425317.htm
- Although FDA Pregnancy Categories are no longer designated, they are included here
- As of 2018, succinct guidance (to replace ABCDX) on specific drugs in pregnancy is lacking
III. Class B: No risk in controlled animal studies
- Anticoagulants
-
Antihypertensives
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
- Acebutolol (first trimester only)
- Pindolol (first trimester only)
- Antiarrhythmic
- Diuretics
- AntiHyperlipidemic
IV. Class C: Small risk in controlled animal studies
- Antiplatelet Medications
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) - not in Briggs (1998)
- Dipyridamole (Persantine)
- Ticlopidine (Ticlid) - not in Briggs (1998)
- Antiarrhythmic
-
Antihypertensive
- Hydralazine
- Diazoxide
- Clonidine
- Nitroprusside (Nipride)
- Prazosin
- Reserpine
- All Calcium Channel Blockers
- Nifedipine XL (is a drug of choice for severe Hypertension in Pregnancy)
- Avoid other Calcium Channel Blockers in pregnancy
- Most Beta Blockers (first trimester only)
- Labetolol (drug of choice for severe Hypertension in Pregnancy)
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Propranolol
- Timolol
- Esmolol (Class C in all trimesters)
- Diuretics
- Lipid lowering medications
V. Class D: Strong evidence of risk to the human fetus
- Anticoagulants
-
Antihypertensive
- ACE Inhibitors
- Angiotensin II Antagonists
- Most Beta Blockers (second and third trimester)
- Associated with Intrauterine Growth Retardation
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Propranolol
- Timolol
- Acebutolol (second and third trimester)
- Pindolol (second and third trimester)
- Atenolol
-
Diuretics
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Triamterene (Class B per manufacturer)
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Spironolactone
VI. Class X: Very high risk to the human fetus
- HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
VII. References
- Briggs (1998) Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, 5th ed
- Larimore (2000) Prim Care 27(1):35-53 [PubMed]