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Cimetidine and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified cimetidine as a pregnancy Category B drug, meaning that it did not appear to have adverse effects when studied in pregnant animals. Therefore, cimetidine is generally considered safe for women to take during pregnancy. However, if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you should discuss cimetidine and pregnancy with your healthcare provider.

 

An Overview of Cimetidine and Pregnancy

Cimetidine (Tagamet®) is generally considered safe for women who are pregnant. In studies involving pregnant animals, cimetidine did not appear to have adverse effects. Cimetidine is considered a pregnancy Category B drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 

Cimetidine and Pregnancy Category B

The 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 the full risks of using cimetidine during pregnancy are not known. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to pregnant women only if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 

Talking to Your Healthcare Provider About Cimetidine and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, let your healthcare provider know.
 Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of cimetidine during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
 
(Click on Heartburn and Pregnancy for more information on heartburn during pregnancy.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;