This sheet is about exposure to alirocumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on available published literature. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What is alirocumab?

Alirocumab is a medication that has been used to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It has been used to treat a specific type of inherited high cholesterol called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and for people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A brand name for alirocumab is Praluent®.

Sometimes when women 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. For more information about high cholesterol in pregnancy, please see our fact sheet at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/high-cholesterol/.

I take alirocumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Studies have not been done to see if alirocumab can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking alirocumab increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Data from one study suggests alirocumab is not expected to increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking alirocumab 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. Data from animal studies does not suggest that alirocumab can increase the chance of birth defects.

Studies have not been done in humans to see if alirocumab can increase the chance of birth defects. There is one report of a woman who took alirocumab along with two other medications until the 6th week of pregnancy and gave birth to a baby with absence of the corpus callosum (where the nerves connecting the two sides of the brain are missing). The authors stated it is unlikely that the use of alirocumab caused this condition.

Very little alirocumab is expected to cross the placenta and reach the developing pregnancy during the first trimester (when many of the fetal organs and body structures are forming). More of the medication can cross the placenta starting in the second trimester.

Does taking alirocumab in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Studies have not been done to see if alirocumab 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 alirocumab in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if alirocumab can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while taking alirocumab:

Alirocumab is a large protein and little of the medication is expected to pass into breast milk. Alirocumab is not well absorbed from the intestines (gut) when swallowed so any medication that would get into breast milk is unlikely to enter the baby’s bloodstream. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (such as fever or frequent infections), contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a man takes alirocumab, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if alirocumab could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. Having high cholesterol might lower the ability to get a woman pregnant. In general, exposures that men 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/.

Please click here for references.

This sheet is about exposure to fexofenadine 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 providers. 

What is fexofenadine? 

Fexofenadine is an over-the-counter antihistamine that has been used to treat and prevent allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itching, and hives. A brand name for fexofenadine is Allegra®. 

Sometimes when women 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 fexofenadine. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? 

Studies have not been done in humans to see if taking fexofenadine can make it harder to get pregnant. Animal studies have not shown that taking fexofenadine would affect fertility (ability to get pregnant).    

Does taking fexofenadine increase the chance of miscarriage? 

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. One study that compared the use of fexofenadine to other common allergy medications during pregnancy found no difference in the chance of miscarriage in those who took fexofenadine.   

Does taking fexofenadine 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 fexofenadine, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Studies on fexofenadine have not found an increased chance of birth defects.  

Does taking fexofenadine in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

A study that compared the use of fexofenadine to other similar antihistamines did not find an increased chance for other 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 fexofenadine in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

Studies have not been done to see if fexofenadine can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. 

Breastfeeding while taking fexofenadine: 

Fexofenadine passes into breastmilk in small amounts. This amount is likely too low to cause problems for the baby. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions. 

If a man takes fexofenadine, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects? 

Studies have not been done to see if fexofenadine could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that men 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/. 

Please click here for references.

This sheet is about having functional constipation in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information is based on research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What is functional constipation?

Constipation (difficulty in emptying the bowels) is the most common complaint of the digestive system. There are different types of constipation. Functional constipation is a type of chronic constipation that needs to be diagnosed by a healthcare provider following a set of diagnostic criteria. If you are taking medication for functional constipation, contact MotherToBaby to discuss your specific medications.

I have functional constipation. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if functional constipation can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does having functional constipation 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 functional constipation can increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does having functional constipation 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 functional constipation, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Studies have not been done to see if functional constipation can increase the chance of birth defects.

Would having functional constipation increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?

This has not been well studied. One study reported a higher chance for C-section among 221 people with functional constipation. Other factors, such as BMI, age, and less active lifestyles, could have also led to a higher chance for C-section among the people in this study.

Does having functional constipation in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if functional constipation can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.

Breastfeeding while I have functional constipation:

Functional constipation is unlikely to interfere with breastfeeding. Contact MotherToBaby to discuss any specific medications that you might be taking. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a man has functional constipation, can it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if functional constipation could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

MotherToBaby is currently conducting a study looking at functional constipation in pregnancy. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please call                    1-877-311-8972 or sign up at https://mothertobaby.org/join-study/.

Please click here to view references.

This sheet is about exposure to miconazole 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 miconazole?  

Miconazole is a medication that has been used to treat fungal infections. As a cream, it has been used topically (on the skin) to treat skin infections and as a cream or suppository (inserted into the vagina) to treat vaginal infections. Some brand names for miconazole are Desenex®, Lomitrin AF®, Monistat®, Micatin® and Mitrazole®.  

Sometimes when women 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. 

What should I do if I think I have a vaginal yeast infection while pregnant?  

Women are more likely to get yeast infections during pregnancy than at other times. If you think you have a vaginal yeast infection, it is important to see your healthcare provider to be sure the infection is yeast before trying to treat it on your own. If you have another type of infection, you may need different treatment.  

I use miconazole. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? 

Using miconazole is not expected to make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does using miconazole increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. One study found a small increased chance for miscarriage with the use of miconazole, but there were several problems with this study that could have affected the results. Other studies have not found that miconazole increases the chance of miscarriage. 

Does taking miconazole 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 miconazole, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. 

Topical or vaginal medications enter the body in lower amounts than oral (pill) medications. This means less medication reaches the developing fetus. Since topical and vaginal miconazole are not well absorbed, they are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. Most studies have shown that miconazole at low doses (<400 mg/day) does not increase the chance of birth defects. 

Does using miconazole increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

Studies have not been done to see if miconazole increases the chance for 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 using miconazole in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?   

Studies have not been done to see if miconazole can cause behavior or learning issues for the child. 

Breastfeeding while using miconazole: 

There are no studies looking at the use of miconazole use during breastfeeding. However, because only small amounts of the medication are expected to pass into breastmilk when miconazole is used topically or vaginally, it is not expected to cause side effects in a nursing child. Miconazole cream has been used directly on infants under the care of a healthcare provider to treat fungal infections. If used on the nipples, any excess cream or ointment should be removed from the nipples before nursing. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a man uses miconazole, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?  

Studies have not been done to see if miconazole could affect male fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. 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/. 

Please click here for references. 

This sheet is about exposure to clotrimazole 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 providers.  

What is clotrimazole?  

Clotrimazole is a medication that has been used to treat fungal infections. As a cream, it has been used topically (on the skin) to treat skin infections and as a cream or suppository (inserted into the vagina) to treat vaginal infections. Clotrimazole is also available in oral lozenges. Some brand names for clotrimazole are Femcare®, Lotrimin®, and Mycelex®. 

Sometimes when women 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. 

What should I do if I think I have a vaginal yeast infection while pregnant?  

Vaginal yeast infections are the most common infections in women, especially during pregnancy. If you think you have a vaginal yeast infection, it is important to see your healthcare provider to be sure the infection is yeast before trying to treat it on your own. If you have another type of infection, you may need different treatment.  

I use clotrimazole. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? 

Using clotrimazole is not expected to make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does using clotrimazole increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. One study found a small increased chance for miscarriage with use of clotrimazole, but there were several problems with this study that could have affected the results. Other studies have not found that using clotrimazole increases the chance of miscarriage.  

Does taking clotrimazole 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 clotrimazole, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. 

Topical or vaginal medications typically enter the body in lower amounts than when taken by moral (oral medication). This means less medication would reach the developing fetus when not in oral form. Since topical and vaginal clotrimazole are not well absorbed, they are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. Most studies have shown that oral clotrimazole at low doses (<400 mg/day) does not increase the chance of birth defects. 

Does taking clotrimazole in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

Studies have not been done to see if clotrimazole can increase the chance for 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 clotrimazole in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?   

Studies have not been done to see if clotrimazole can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. 

Breastfeeding while taking clotrimazole: 

There are no studies looking at clotrimazole use during breastfeeding. However, because only small amounts of the medication are expected to pass into breastmilk when clotrimazole is used topically, it is not expected to cause side effects in a nursing child. In pill form, clotrimazole has been given directly to infants under the care of a healthcare provider to treat thrush (a common fungal infection caused by Candida albicans). If used on the nipples, any excess cream or ointment should be removed from the nipples before nursing. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.   

If a man takes clotrimazole, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?  

Studies have not been done to see if clotrimazole could affect male fertility (ability to get a woman 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/. 

Please click here for references.