Pulmicort and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Pulmicort as a pregnancy Category B medication, meaning that it is probably safe for most pregnant women. In animal studies involving Pulmicort and pregnancy, the medication did not appear to cause harm to the fetus. However, the full risks of taking Pulmicort during pregnancy are not known.

 

Is Pulmicort Safe During Pregnancy?

Pulmicort® (budesonide inhalation) is probably safe for most pregnant women, although the full risks are not known.
 

Pulmicort and Pregnancy Category B

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do, and the full risks of using Pulmicort in pregnant women are not known. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine should be given to a pregnant woman only if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 

Pulmicort and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Pulmicort for asthma, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of using Pulmicort during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;