Nadolol and Pregnancy

In animal studies, nadolol caused problems when it was given to pregnant rabbits. However, animals do not always respond to drugs the same way that humans do. If pregnancy occurs while you are taking nadolol, your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits and potential risks before making a recommendation for your particular situation.

Is Taking Nadolol During Pregnancy Safe?

Nadolol (Corgard®) is a prescription beta blocker medication approved to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Based on the results of animal studies, the drug may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are currently unknown.
 

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 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.
 
Nadolol caused problems when it was given to pregnant rabbits. The exact problems were not specified but did not involve birth defects. No such problems were seen when nadolol was given to pregnant rats or hamsters.
 
There is one reported case where this medicine was used during human pregnancy. The newborn baby had the following problems:
 
  • Growth restriction (meaning the baby was smaller than it should have been)
  • Breathing problems
  • Low blood sugar
  • Slow heart rate
  • Low body temperature.
     
Such problems have also been reported with other beta blockers.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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