Is It Safe to Take Fenoglide During Pregnancy?
Fenoglide® (
fenofibrate) is a prescription medication used to treat unhealthy
cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. It is categorized as a pregnancy Category C medicine. This means that Fenoglide may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are unknown at this time.
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 medicines 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.
In studies, giving Fenoglide to pregnant animals caused the following problems:
- Low birth weight
- Increased risk of spina bifida
- Decreased newborn survival
- Delayed labor and delivery
- Increased risk of miscarriages
- Increased risk of various deformities.
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if a healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
