Doxazosin and Pregnancy

Animal studies on doxazosin and pregnancy show that in high amounts, it caused increased miscarriages in rabbits. Although the drug has not been studied in pregnant humans, based on these results, the FDA has classified doxazosin as a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that if you are taking doxazosin and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits to you against the possible risks to the fetus before making a recommendation.

Doxazosin Mesylate

Doxazosin and Pregnancy: An Overview

Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura^®) may not be safe for women to take while pregnant. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of the drug during pregnancy

Doxazosin and Pregnancy Category C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a 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 does 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 are given a pregnancy Category C rating.

When given to pregnant rabbits in very high doses, doxazosin caused increased miscarriages, but did not cause any birth defects.

However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.

Doxazosin and Pregnancy: Suggestions

If you are taking doxasozin and pregnancy occurs, let your healthcare provider know.

He or she will consider the benefits and the risks of taking doxazosin during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.