Inderal and Pregnancy

The link between Inderal and pregnancy hasn't been studied much in humans. In addition, there are conflicting animal studies as to whether Inderal poses possible risks to a fetus. As a result, the FDA considers Inderal a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning it could pose an increased risk to the fetus. If you're taking Inderal and pregnancy occurs (or if you're thinking of becoming pregnant), let your healthcare provider know.

 

Inderal and Pregnancy: An Overview

Depending on your particular situation, your healthcare provider may or may not recommend that you take Inderal® (propranolol hydrochloride) while pregnant. Inderal is considered a pregnancy Category C medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that Inderal has not been studied in pregnant women. However, when studied in pregnant animals, Inderal caused problems to the fetus. This means that there may be an increased risk to the fetus if Inderal is used during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will consider the risk of using Inderal, the risk of not treating your condition, and alternative treatment options before making his or her recommendation.
 

Inderal and Pregnancy Category C

The 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 show side effects to the fetus during animal studies. These side effects can be temporary (such as a slowed heart rate at birth) or permanent (for example, birth defects).
 
A pregnancy Category C 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. For example, untreated high blood pressure during pregnancy carries its own set of significant risks to both the mother and the fetus (see Preeclampsia). In situations like this, a healthcare provider may prescribe a pregnancy Category C medicine if the benefit of treating high blood pressure in pregnancy outweighs the risk presented by the medicine.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;