Asthma (Albuterol) and pregnancy.

Re: Asthma (Albuterol) and pregnancy.

• Mainer-in-Texas

  March 2009

  It's always a good idea to ask your doctor questions like this about medications (rather than an internet message board). With that said, my doctor told me albuterol is  fine. Oh, and if you are on cycle one, you may want to try the Getting Pregnant board.
  

  

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• Dr.Loretta member

  March 2009

  You might want to ask this on the GP (Getting Pregnant) board as well. This board is for those who have been TTC with known IF issues or for a long time.

  Albuterol is contraindicated in pregnancy (it's pregnancy category C). Talk to you dr. about alternatives. You should be letting them know you're TTC anyway.

   

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• TiffanyBlue927

  March 2009

   Tho I am noy TTC anymore, I lurk here occasionally, and I am a respiratory therapist. When a PG mom is in crisis with asthma, we must give albuterol because if mommy can't breathe, neither can baby. It is a calculated risk which is essential in a life threatening crisis. I have personal experience with this every day in my practice, and am an asthmatic myself....but....always always always check with your doctor. If you do not currently see a lung doctor (pulmonologist) I recommend getting a consult before getting PG, as asthma may worsen ( or even get better!) with PG. Good luck, I hope the article below can help clarify the Category "C" isses!
  

  Albuterol and Pregnancy Category C

  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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.

   

  Albuterol was given a pregnancy Category C rating because of potential problems in animal studies. When albuterol was given to pregnant mice, it caused birth defects, especially a cleft palate. In rabbits, albuterol caused brain and skull problems. In humans, albuterol can increase the heart rate and blood sugar levels in the fetus.

   

  However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. A pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child. Because "rescue" medications like albuterol are usually essential for people with asthma, healthcare providers typically recommend that pregnant women continue to take albuterol. Several references state that albuterol is compatible with pregnancy. In fact, albuterol is sometimes used to treat premature labor, usually without causing any problems in the fetus.

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