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Edecrin and Pregnancy
Animal studies on Edecrin and pregnancy show that the medication does not appear to cause harm to the fetus. Since animals do not always respond to medicines as humans do, however, the drug should only be prescribed f a healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the fetus. If you are taking Edecrin and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will consider your individual situation before making a recommendation.
Edecrin® (ethacrynic acid) is a pregnancy Category B medicine, meaning that it is probably safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known.
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 B is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but that do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, the full risks to a fetus are not known, and a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child. In general, diuretics (including Edecrin) should not be used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension).
If you are taking Edecrin and pregnancy occurs, or if you are thinking of becoming pregnant while taking the drug, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of using it during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD