Is Prevacid Safe During Pregnancy?

Many women want to know, "Is Prevacid safe during pregnancy?" The combination of Prevacid and pregnancy has not been studied in women; however, in studies of pregnant animals, Prevacid showed no negative effects on the unborn fetus. Therefore, Prevacid is classified as a Category B drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning that it may be given to a pregnant woman if the benefits of the medication outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.

 

Is Prevacid Safe During Pregnancy? -- An Overview

Prevacid® (lansoprazole) is considered a pregnancy Category B medicine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that Prevacid has not been studied in pregnant women. However, when studied in pregnant animals, Prevacid showed no negative effects on unborn babies.
 

Prevacid and Pregnancy Category B

The FDA uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B refers to medicines that resulted in no side effects to the fetus in animal studies but have not yet been studied in pregnant women.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 

Prevacid and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

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