This sheet is about exposure to prucalopride in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.
What is prucalopride?
Prucalopride is a medication that has been used in adults to treat functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation (constipation symptoms with an unknown cause that have been happening for at least 6 months). Prucalopride is sold under the brand name Motegrity®.
Other kinds of constipation are sometimes treated with over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives. For more information about OTC laxatives, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/laxatives/.
Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.
I take prucalopride. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
Studies have not been done to see if taking prucalopride can make it harder to get pregnant.
Does taking prucalopride increase the chance of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if prucalopride can increase the chance of miscarriage,
Does taking prucalopride increase the chance of birth defects?
Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like prucalopride, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy.
Studies have not been done in humans to see if prucalopride can increase the chance of birth defects. Animal studies done by the manufacturer did not show an increase in birth defects with exposure to prucalopride in pregnancy.
Does taking prucalopride in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?
Studies have not been done to see if prucalopride can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).
Does taking prucalopride in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?
Studies have not been done to see if prucalopride can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.
Breastfeeding while taking prucalopride:
There are no published studies looking at the use of prucalopride during breastfeeding. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (such as diarrhea), contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.
If a man takes prucalopride, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?
Studies have not been done to see if prucalopride could affect men’s fertility (ability to get a partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.
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