Relafen and Pregnancy

While most healthcare providers do not recommend taking Relafen during pregnancy, a doctor may prescribe Relafen to a pregnant woman if its benefits outweigh the possible risk to the unborn child. Relafen is a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning that it could possibly cause problems for a fetus. It can also complicate labor and delivery, and should be avoided entirely during the third trimester of pregnancy. If you're taking Relafen and pregnancy occurs, tell your healthcare provider.

 

Relafen and Pregnancy: An Overview

Most healthcare providers do not recommend taking Relafen® (nabumetone) during pregnancy because it can possibly cause problems for the unborn child or complicate labor and delivery. Taking Relafen at all during the third trimester should be avoided. Early in the pregnancy, it is possible that your healthcare provider may recommend Relafen. This is because he or she feels that the benefits to you outweigh the risks to your unborn child.
 

Relafen and Pregnancy Category C

Relafen 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 its benefits to her outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Relafen, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of Relafen 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;