Zomig and Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Zomig as a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning that it may not be safe to take while pregnant. During previous animal studies, Zomig did appear to cause harm to fetuses. When Zomig was given to pregnant rats and rabbits in very high doses, there was an increase in the number of birth defects and embryo deaths. Therefore, if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant and have been prescribed Zomig, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about Zomig and pregnancy.

 

An Overview of Zomig and Pregnancy

For women who are pregnant, Zomig® (zolmitriptan) may not be safe. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of Zomig during pregnancy.
 

Zomig and Pregnancy Category C

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 C is given to drugs that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
 
Zomig was given a pregnancy Category C rating based on studies in pregnant animals. For example, when Zomig was given to pregnant rats and rabbits in very high doses, the number of birth defects and embryo deaths increased.
 
It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 

Recommendations for Zomig and Pregnancy

If you are taking Zomig and pregnancy occurs, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and the risks of taking Zomig during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;