Drugs and their categories in pregnancy and breastfeeding-c


Drug
Pregnancy category
Compatibility with breastfeeding
cabergoline
avoid, suppresses lactation
caffeine
compatible
calamine
unlisted
compatible
calcipotriol
avoid, insufficient data
calcitonin
compatible
calcitriol
caution, monitor infant plasma calcium levels
calcium carbonate
unlisted
compatible
calcium chloride
unlisted
compatible
calcium citrate
unlisted
compatible
calcium gluconate
unlisted
compatible
candesartan
avoid, insufficient data
capreomycin
insufficient data
captopril
compatible
carbamazepine
compatible
carbidopa
avoid, insufficient data
carbimazole
compatible
carvedilol
C [Note 13]
avoid, insufficient data
casein phosphopeptide stabilised amorphous calcium phosphate
unlisted
compatible
caspofungin
caution, insufficient data, low oral absorption
cefaclor
compatible
cefepime
compatible
cefotaxime
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
cefoxitin
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
ceftazidime
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
ceftriaxone
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
cefuroxime
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
celecoxib
compatible [Note 10]
cephalexin
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
cephalothin
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
cephazolin
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
cetirizine
compatible
charcoal, activated
unlisted
compatible
chlorambucil
avoid
chloramphenicol
avoid if possible, especially if the infant is premature or less than 1 month old; compatible for topical use
chlorhexidine
compatible
chloroquine
prophylaxis: A
treatment: D (but routinely used in the treatment of malaria)
prophylaxis: compatible
treatment: compatible; if premature or less than 1 month old monitor infant for diarrhoea, gastrointestinal distress, hypotension
chlorpheniramine
compatible; monitor infant for irritability and sleep disturbances
chlorpromazine
compatible at lower doses
chlorthalidone
compatible; may suppress lactation
cholecalciferol
unlisted
caution, monitor infant plasma calcium levels
cholestyramine
caution, not absorbed, may impair maternal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
choline salicylate
unlisted
compatible
chondroitin sulphate
unlisted
compatible
cidofovir
insufficient data, use in consultation with a clinical microbiologist or infectious diseases physician
cimetidine
compatible
ciprofloxacin
caution, may cause diarrhoea in infant
cisapride
compatible
citalopram
C [Note 2]
probably compatible
clarithromycin
caution; may cause diarrhoea in infant
clindamycin
compatible; may cause diarrhoea in infant
clobazam
compatible in single dose - caution with chronic use; if used in latter situation, monitor infant for drowsiness
clofazimine
avoid if possible; may cause skin discolouration in infant
clomiphene
avoid, suppresses lactation
clomipramine
C [Note 6]
compatible
clonazepam
compatible in single dose - caution with chronic use; if used in latter situation, monitor infant for drowsiness
clonidine
caution, may reduce milk supply
clopidogrel
avoid, insufficient data
clotrimazole
compatible
clozapine
avoid
cocaine
unlisted
avoid
codeine
compatible in occasional doses; avoid repeated doses
colchicine
caution, insufficient data
colestipol
caution, not absorbed, may impair maternal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
colistimethate sodium
caution; may cause diarrhoea in infant
conjugated oestrogens
avoid, reduced milk supply
cortisone acetate
compatible
cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim+sulfamethoxazole)
compatible for older, healthy, full-term infants, avoid if possible if the infant is premature or less than 1 month old, monitor infant for haemolysis and jaundice
crotamiton
compatible
cyanocobalamin
unlisted
compatible
cyclopentolate
unlisted
caution, insufficient data [Note 11]
cyclophosphamide
avoid
cycloserine
unlisted (not recommended)
caution, insufficient data
cyclosporin
compatible, monitor infant blood concentrations occasionally
cyproheptadine
compatible
cyproterone acetate
B3 or D (depending on product) [Note 3]
avoid
Note 1: In Australia, breastfeeding is not recommended for HIV-positive women because of the possibility of HIV transmission.
Note 2: Human data are inadequate and the safety of these medications in pregnancy is uncertain.
Note 3: Antiandrogens have the potential to feminise the male fetus, avoid in pregnancy.
Note 4: Tetracyclines are safe for use during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy (16 weeks postconception) after which they may affect the formation of the baby's teeth and cause discolouration.
Note 6: Tricyclic antidepressants have been taken by a large number of pregnant women without any proven increase in the frequency of fetal malformation. In full-term neonates, reversible adverse effects have occasionally been observed, but very rarely cause significant problems.
Note 7: Although theophylline has a Category A rating, it does cross the placental barrier. The effect on fetal development is not known. Theophylline clearance is significantly decreased in premature infants. Therefore, if this drug is administered to the mother near the time of delivery, the neonate should be monitored closely for the pharmacological effects of theophylline. Hence the use of theophylline in pregnant women should be balanced against the risk of uncontrolled asthma.
Note 8: See also: Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM. Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2006;8(1):202-11.
Note 9: See leflunomide regarding preconception advice and cholestyramine washout.
Note 10: If an NSAID is required in a breastfeeding patient, diclofenac or ibuprofen is preferred.
Note 11: Absorption of eye drops into the maternal circulation is generally low, although there are occasional reports of systemic effects. Nevertheless, significant transfer into milk is unlikely.
Note 12: Large molecular weight proteins/polypeptides are unlikely to transfer into milk. In the absence of specific information, adverse effects in the infant are unlikely.
Note 13: Early reports of pregnancy outcomes in women treated with beta blockers in pregnancy, particularly dealing with propranolol, described a relatively high incidence of fetal growth restriction. This appears to be the basis for the C classification of the class of drugs. Since these findings were not from randomised studies, but were clinical descriptions of women who had underlying disorders known to be associated with an increased rate of both intrauterine fetal growth restriction and death, it is not possible to determine whether the described outcomes were due to the therapy or to the disorder for which therapy was prescribed. Subsequent evidence has indicated fetal growth restriction in hypertensive pregnant women treated with atenolol, but better fetal growth in women treated with another beta blocker, oxprenolol, than in women treated with methyldopa. This has been attributed to the intrinsic sympathomimetic activity inherent in this drug. No other fetal or neonatal problems have been attributed to beta-blocker therapy in pregnancy, and they are widely prescribed for the treatment of hypertension in this situation.

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