This sheet is about exposure to voxelotor in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers.

What is voxelotor?

Voxelotor is a medication that has been used to treat sickle cell disease (a genetic condition that changes the shape of red blood cells). Sickle cell disease can cause issues such as pain, infections, and other health complications. Voxelotor is in a class of medication called hemoglobin S polymerization inhibitors. It is sold under the brand name Oxbryta®.

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 this 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 voxelotor. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if voxelotor can make it harder to get pregnant. However, having sickle cell disease might make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking voxelotor 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 voxelotor increases the chance for miscarriage. Sickle cell disease might increase the chance of miscarriage.

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

Data from animal studies suggest there is not an increased chance for birth defects when taking voxelotor during pregnancy. Studies have not been done in humans.

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

Studies have not been done in humans to see if voxelotor 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).

People with sickle cell disease might have an increased chance of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and other pregnancy complications and should be monitored closely by healthcare providers during pregnancy.

Does taking voxelotor in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child? 

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

Breastfeeding while taking voxelotor:

There is no human data looking at the use of voxelotor in breastfeeding. Because of a potential for adverse effects in a nursing infant, the product label for voxelotor recommends people who are breastfeeding not use this medication and to wait to breastfeed until 2 weeks after the last dose. But the benefit of using voxelotor may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using voxelotor and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.

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

Studies have not been done to see if voxelotor could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. One experimental animal study suggested it might lower the chance of pregnancy when male rats were given large doses of voxelotor, but this has not been checked in humans. Also, sickle cell disease itself may affect a man’s fertility. 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 tralokinumab 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 tralokinumab?

Tralokinumab (Adbry®) is a medication in the form of a shot (injection) that has been used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is hard to treat with topical therapies (used on the skin). It has also been used to treat atopic dermatitis in people who cannot use topical therapies. MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on atopic dermatitis here https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/atopic-dermatitis/.  

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 tralokinumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? 

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

Does taking tralokinumab 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 tralokinumab can increase the chance of miscarriage. 

Does taking tralokinumab 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 tralokinumab, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Human studies have not been done to see if tralokinumab can increase the chance of birth defects. An animal study did not find an increased chance of birth defects when tralokinumab was used in pregnancy.  

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

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

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

Can my baby receive live vaccines before one year of age if I take tralokinumab while pregnant?

Since tralokinumab might suppress the immune system of the person taking it, there is a theoretical concern that the same thing could happen to the baby if they are exposed during pregnancy. If someone has a weakened immune system, they might be more likely to develop an infection from a live vaccine. Live vaccines contain a small amount of live virus. Inactivated vaccines do not contain live virus, so they cannot cause the disease they protect against. In the United States, rotavirus is the only live vaccine routinely given in the first year of life. Most people can get inactivated vaccines in the first year of life.  

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about your exposure to tralokinumab during pregnancy. They can talk with you about the vaccines your child should receive and the best time for your child to receive them. 

Breastfeeding while taking tralokinumab:

Tralokinumab has not been studied for use in humans while breastfeeding. Based on the size of the tralokinumab molecules, it is thought that the chance it enters the breastmilk is low. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions. 

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

Studies have not been done to see if tralokinumab could affect men’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 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 tralokinumab-ldrm and other medications used to treat atopic dermatitis 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 fact sheet is about exposure to progesterone and progestins 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 are progesterone and progestin?

Progesterone is a hormone naturally made in the body by the ovaries (glands where eggs form and female hormones are made). The body uses progesterone to build the lining of the uterus (womb) for the menstrual cycle (period) and helps the fertilized egg attach to the wall of the uterus. During pregnancy, the placenta makes progesterone to help prevent miscarriage.

Progestin is a synthetic (human-made) form of progesterone. Birth control products contain progestins. Progestins are also used to treat amenorrhea (not having menstrual cycles) and abnormal uterine bleeding. Progestin might come in the form of a pill, injection, gel, suppository, cream or patch depending on the dosage and what it is being used for. Some progesterone and progestin brand names are Crinone®, Endometrin®, Prometrium®, and Prochieve®.

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 progesterone or a progestin. Can it make it harder for me to become pregnant?

Progesterone can help women get pregnant. However, progestins used in birth control pills help prevent pregnancy. Therefore, it is important that you speak with your healthcare provider about the type of progesterone or progestin you use before starting or stopping any medication containing progestin.

Does taking progesterone or progestin increase the chance for miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Progesterone or progestin use does not increase the chance of a miscarriage. In fact, some women are prescribed progesterone early in pregnancy to help prevent miscarriage.

Does taking progesterone or progestin increase the chance of birth defects?

Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. It is unlikely that using progesterone or progestin will increase the chance of birth defects.

Some studies raised a concern about a chance for boys to be born with hypospadias after exposure to progestins. Hypospadias is a birth defect where the opening of the urethra (the tube where urine comes from the bladder to the outside of the body) is not on the tip of the penis. If necessary, surgery can correct hypospadias. there were issues with how these studies were done and therefore, the results might not be correct. Most studies that have looked at the children of women who took progesterone or progestins during pregnancy did not report a higher chance of birth defects.

Does taking progesterone or progestin in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Most research looking at the use of progesterone and progestin in pregnancy focuses on those who receive it during late pregnancy as an injection (called 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or Makena®) or as a vaginal suppository to prevent preterm labor. These studies have not shown negative effects.

Does taking progesterone or progestin in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies that have followed children up to the age of 5 years have not found progesterone or progestin use in pregnancy to cause problems with the development of the brain (neurodevelopment).

Breastfeeding while taking progesterone or progestin:

Supplemental progesterone or progestins enter the breastmilk in low amounts. Breastfeeding while taking progesterone or progestin is not expected to be harmful to the nursing infant. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

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

Men naturally make progesterone. Studies have not been done to see if supplemental progesterone or progestins could affect a man’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. 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 chlordiazepoxide 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 chlordiazepoxide?

Chlordiazepoxide is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (such as anxiety and agitation). MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on anxiety here https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/anxiety-fact/. Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. A brand name for chlordiazepoxide is Librium®.  

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 chlordiazepoxide. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? 

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

Does taking chlordiazepoxide 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 chlordiazepoxide can increase the chance of miscarriage. 

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

Most reports did not find a higher chance for birth defects with first trimester use of chlordiazepoxide. While there have been some reports of birth defects with first trimester use, no clear pattern of birth defects has been associated with this medication. 

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

Chlordiazepoxide has not been well studied for use during pregnancy. One study found a higher chance for low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) when chlordiazepoxide was taken during pregnancy. It is not known if chlordiazepoxide might increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37).  

I need to take chlordiazepoxide throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth? 

The use of chlordiazepoxide during pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. Symptoms might include tremors, irritability, or other issues. Not all babies exposed to chlordiazepoxide will have symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking chlordiazepoxide so that if symptoms occur your baby can get the care that is best for them. 

Does taking chlordiazepoxide in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?  

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

Breastfeeding while taking chlordiazepoxide:

Chlordiazepoxide has not been studied for use while breastfeeding. Chlordiazepoxide stays in the body for a long time and might pass into breast milk. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (poor feeding, poor weight gain, or sleepiness) contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

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

Studies have not been done to see if chlordiazepoxide could affect men’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 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 clorazepate in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on available published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers.

What is clorazepate?

Clorazepate is a medication that has been used to treat anxiety, seizures, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (such as anxiety and agitation). Clorazepate is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Brand names for clorazepate include Tranxene® and Gen-Xene®.

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 this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

If you take this medication regularly and then suddenly stop taking it, you could have withdrawal symptoms. It is not known what effects, if any, withdrawal might have on a pregnancy. Your healthcare providers can help with slowly stopping this medication if you plan to stop using clorazepate.

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

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

Does taking clorazepate 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 clorazepate increases the chance for miscarriage.

Does taking clorazepate 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 clorazepate, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate increases the chance for birth defects. Experimental animal studies did not report a higher chance of birth defects.

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

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate 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).

I need to take clorazepate throughout my entire pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate might cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Based on other benzodiazepine medications, clorazepate might cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal. The baby can be monitored for “floppy infant syndrome” (poor muscle tone), trouble with feeding or breathing, or irritability. Not all babies exposed to clorazepate will have these symptoms. It is important for your healthcare providers to know if you are taking clorazepate so that if symptoms occur, your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking clorazepate in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

It is not known if clorazepate increases the chance for behavior or learning issues.

Breastfeeding while taking clorazepate:

Clorazepate passes into breastmilk and stays in the body for a long time, which means medication levels can build up in a nursing infant. If you suspect the baby has any symptoms (very sleepy and hard to wake to feed, poor feeding, or poor weight gain), contact the child’s healthcare provider.

The product label for clorazepate recommends women who are breastfeeding not use this medication. But, the benefit of using clorazepate may outweigh possible risks. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using clorazepate and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk with your healthcare providers about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a man takes clorazepate, could it affect fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects in a partner’s pregnancy?

Studies have not been done to see if clorazepate could affect a man’s fertility or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that men 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/.

Please click here to view references.