Medication Considerations When Pregnant or Breastfeeding

According to the CDC, 9 in 10 women report taking some type of medication while pregnant and seven in 10 women have taken a prescription medication during pregnancy. While a medication may have limited risks for the person taking the medication, it may cause harm to an unborn child or infant.

How Do We Know a Medication Is Safe to Use?
Most of the information on whether a medication is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding comes from research studies and registries. Only a few studies on new medications include pregnant individuals. The FDA is currently working to improve information and address gaps in knowledge around the benefits and risks of taking medications while pregnant and breastfeeding. Prior to June 2015, the FDA used five risk categories (A, B, C, D, and X) to categorize a medication’s safety when used during pregnancy. However, the FDA is replacing this categorization through the Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule that will require a medication’s label to be updated when information becomes outdated so healthcare providers can better advise women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
If you are planning to become pregnant or believe you are pregnant, you may be unsure if the medication, vitamin or supplement you are taking may be safe to use, including those over the counter. You should discuss with your healthcare provider any plans to become pregnant and any concerns you may have with medications, vitamins or supplements you take. Some questions to ask include:

• Is this medication safe to take if I’m planning to become pregnant?
• Will I need to switch to a different medication if I become pregnant?
• Will I need to change the dosage I take during my pregnancy or after giving birth?
• How may this medication affect my pregnancy?
• I took this medication before I knew I was pregnant, are there any concerns?
• Where can I find additional information about medications I can take during my pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
• What are the benefits and risks of taking or stopping my medication while pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Can I take this medication while breastfeeding?

In addition, your medication’s label and information sheet will also have information on use during pregnancy.