Inderal LA and Pregnancy

While Inderal LA appears to have a negative effect on pregnancy, the exact risk is unknown. Little human research has been done on the effects of the drug on fetuses, and previous animal studies had conflicting results. If you're taking Inderal LA and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will consider the risks and benefits, as well as alternative treatment options, before making a recommendation.

Inderal LA Drug Info

Pregnancy and Inderal LA: An Overview

Depending on your particular situation, your healthcare provider may or may not recommend that you take Inderal^® LA (propranolol sustained-release) while pregnant. Your healthcare provider will consider the risk of using the drug, the risk of not treating your condition, and alternative treatment options before making a recommendation.

Inderal LA and Pregnancy Category C

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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but that show side effects to the fetus during animal studies. These side effects can be temporary (such as a slowed heart rate at birth) or permanent (for example, birth defects). Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a Pregnancy Category C rating.

A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to her unborn child. For example, untreated high blood pressure during pregnancy carries its own set of significant risks to both the mother and the fetus (see Preeclampsia). In situations like this, a healthcare provider may prescribe a pregnancy Category C medicine if the benefit of treating high blood pressure in pregnancy outweighs the risk of the medicine.

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