Captopril and Pregnancy Categories C and D

Because the results of the study explained above have not been confirmed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes captopril as a pregnancy Category C medicine for the first trimester and a pregnancy Category D medicine for the second and third trimesters.

 

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 in animal studies. Pregnancy Category D is given to medicines that have shown clear evidence of risk to the fetus in studies; it is a stronger warning than for pregnancy Category C medicines. 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.

 

Captopril and Pregnancy: Recommendations

Because of the possible risk that captopril poses to an unborn child, even during the first trimester of pregnancy, you should let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking captopril. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of captopril during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation. In all but the rarest of situations, there are other options for women who are pregnant or could become pregnant.