Feldene and Pregnancy

While Feldene and pregnancy haven't been tested together in humans -- and therefore Feldene's possible effect on unborn children is unknown -- the drug did show side effects to fetuses in previous animal studies. As a result, most healthcare providers do not recommend taking Feldene during pregnancy.

 

Feldene and Pregnancy: An Overview

Most healthcare providers do not recommend taking Feldene® (piroxicam) during pregnancy because it can possibly cause problems in the unborn child or complicate labor and delivery. Taking Feldene at all during the third trimester should be avoided. Your healthcare provider may possibly recommend Feldene early in your pregnancy. If this is the case, it is because your healthcare provider feels that the benefits to you outweigh the risks to your unborn child.
 

Feldene and Pregnancy Category C

Feldene is considered a pregnancy Category C medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The 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 show side effects to the fetus in animal studies, but for which no human studies in pregnant women have been done. It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that the drug's benefits outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Feldene, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of Feldene during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;