Can You Take Exforge HCT While Pregnant?
Exforge HCT is generally considered unsafe for use during pregnancy, mostly due to the valsartan component of the medication. Valsartan belongs to a group of medications known as angiotensin II receptors blocker (also known as ARBs).
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 D is a classification given to medicines that have been shown to present a risk to the fetus in studies of pregnant women but may still offer benefits that outweigh the potential risks.
A pregnancy Category D medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child. Exforge HCT was given a Category D rating due to the valsartan component.
The hydrochlorothiazide component of the drug has a Category B rating, meaning it is probably safe for use during pregnancy
(see Hydrochlorothiazide and Pregnancy). The amlodipine component has a Category C rating, which falls somewhere between the Category B and Category D ratings, in terms of severity
(see Norvasc and Pregnancy for more information).
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