Pregnancy Categories Flashcards

Study Notes

Pregnancy Categories Overview

Pregnancy categories classify medications based on their risk to the fetus during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Category A

Controlled studies in pregnant women show no risk to the fetus in the first trimester and no evidence of risk in later trimesters.
Fetal harm is considered remote.
Medications: Levothyroxine, ferrous sulfate, potassium chloride, multivitamins.

Diclegis

Combination of doxylamine and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
Classified under Pregnancy Category A.
Indicated for treating morning sickness.

Pregnancy Category B

Animal studies show no fetal risk, but no controlled studies in humans, or adverse effects found in animals were not confirmed in women.
No evidence of risk in later trimesters.
Medications: Insulin, phenazopyridine.

Pregnancy Category C

Animal studies indicate adverse fetal effects and no controlled studies in humans or lack of data in both groups.

Albenza

Contains albendazole, an antihelmintic drug classified as Pregnancy Category C.
Commonly used off-label for pinworms (enterobiasis).
Recommended doses: 400 mg single dose for patients over 2 years, 200 mg for patients under 2 years.

Pregnancy Category D

Clear evidence of human fetal risk, but potential benefits may outweigh risks in serious situations.

Pregnancy Category D Medications

Includes anxiolytic benzodiazepines and tetracycline antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline).
Tetracycline can cause permanent brown-gray discoloration of teeth when used in the later stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Category X

Medications that demonstrate fetal abnormalities in studies or pose significant risk based on human experience.
Use in pregnant women is contraindicated due to outweighing risks.

Pregnancy Category X Medications

Examples: isotretinoin, HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, misoprostol, oral contraceptives, warfarin sodium, hypnotic benzodiazepines (e.g., triazolam), methotrexate, thalidomide.

Thalomid

Thalidomide is classified as Pregnancy Category X due to severe risk.
Initially prescribed for morning sickness in the 1960s but caused phocomelia, leading to severe limb deformities.

Description

Test your understanding of pregnancy categories with these flashcards. Learn about various medications, their classifications, and the implications for fetal safety during pregnancy. Perfect for students and healthcare professionals.