Lasix and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Lasix as a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning the medication could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. In animal studies that looked at Lasix and pregnancy, Lasix caused unexplained death of both the mother and the baby, as well as birth defects of the kidney or urinary system. However, a healthcare provider may still prescribe Lasix if the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh the risks to the unborn child.

 

Lasix and Pregnancy: An Overview

Lasix® (furosemide) is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that Lasix could potentially cause harm to your unborn child.
 

Lasix 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 show side effects to the fetus in animal studies, but no human studies in pregnant women have been done. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
In animal studies, Lasix has caused unexplained death of both the mother and baby. Animal studies have also suggested that Lasix may cause birth defects of the kidney or urinary system.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, Lasix may be given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child. Generally, Lasix should be used in pregnant women only when absolutely necessary. It is generally not recommended to use Lasix to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;