Atacand HCT and Pregnancy

There are some situations where people should avoid taking Atacand HCT, and pregnancy is one of them. This is because during any trimester of pregnancy, Atacand HCT can lead to temporary or permanent problems, including death, in the fetus. Some of the complications seen with fetuses or newborns exposed to Atacand HCT during pregnancy include developmental problems with the cardiovascular or nervous systems, deformities of the head or face, and kidney failure. However, Atacand HCT may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

 

Is Atacand HCT Safe During Pregnancy? -- An Overview

For women who are pregnant, Atacand HCT® (candesartan cilexetil-hydrochlorothiazide) is usually not recommended. This is because during pregnancy, Atacand HCT can lead to temporary or permanent problems, including death, in the unborn child.
 

Atacand HCT and Pregnancy Category C and D

The U.
 S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes Atacand HCT as a pregnancy Category C medication for the first trimester and a pregnancy Category D medication for the second trimester and third trimester.
 
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 C is given to medicines that show side effects to the fetus in animal studies, but no human studies in pregnant women have been done. Pregnancy Category D is given to medicines that have shown clear evidence of risk to the fetus in the studies. Pregnancy Category D is a stronger warning than a pregnancy Category C classification. Despite these warnings, a pregnancy Category C or D medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Atacand HCT and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;