Azithromycin and Pregnancy

Azithromycin and pregnancy have not been tested together in humans, so the drug's possible effects on an unborn child are unknown. However, the drug did not appear to cause harm to fetuses in previous animal studies. A healthcare provider may prescribe azithromycin to a pregnant woman if he or she believes that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to her unborn child.

Azithromycin and Pregnancy: An Overview

Azithromycin (Zithromax®) is considered a pregnancy Category B medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. However, when studied in pregnant animals, azithromycin showed no negative effects on unborn babies.
 

Azithromycin and Pregnancy Category B

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 B is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do not appear cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant and have been prescribed azithromycin, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of azithromycin 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
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