How Are Medications Categorized for Safety During Pregnancy?
The FDA has established a categorization system to indicate the safety of drugs during pregnancy:
Category A: Controlled studies show no risk. Category B: No evidence of risk in humans; animal studies suggest risk, but human studies do not confirm. Category C: Risk cannot be ruled out; animal studies are either positive for fetal risk or lacking, and human studies are lacking as well. Category D: Positive evidence of risk; only use in life-threatening situations. Category X: Contraindicated in pregnancy; risks clearly outweigh any possible benefit.
