Would you take a category c drug during pregnancy? Would you switch drs if your dr prescribed you category c drugs?
A little background of this story. I deal with a lot of nasal congestion and pressure in my left ear, which is aggravated during pregnancy. Im 29 weeks along. My eustatian tube is too small and is easily stopped up by any swelling in my nasal cavity. I've taken nasonex and claritin to deal with this problem in the past, but I'm only taking Claritin now. The stopped up ear has become a very persistent problem and so I visited an Ear, Nose, and Throat dr. He prescribed nasonex. I called my OB and he oked the nasonex as well as prescribed Allegra d and a z pack because he was worried about infection. Well I checked the nasonex and Allegra d online and found out they are both category c drugs. My previous OB never prescribed c drugs and very rarely prescribed b drugs. Obviously this dr views the drugs differently. Earlier in my pregnancy, he prescribed 2 other category c drugs, without letting me know of the risk. I'm very torn about this situation. I desperately want this condition to get better. It's a constant annoyance and I'm also concerned about risk of infection in my ears. However, I worry that it might cause problems with my baby. I don't know if I should just trust the dr or refuse the treatment. I'm even wondering if I need to switch drs because he's prescribing category c drugs without making me aware of the risk. Any opinions? Please be kind. I'm really trying to seek the best option for me and baby.
A little background of this story. I deal with a lot of nasal congestion and pressure in my left ear, which is aggravated during pregnancy. Im 29 weeks along. My eustatian tube is too small and is easily stopped up by any swelling in my nasal cavity. I've taken nasonex and claritin to deal with this problem in the past, but I'm only taking Claritin now. The stopped up ear has become a very persistent problem and so I visited an Ear, Nose, and Throat dr. He prescribed nasonex. I called my OB and he oked the nasonex as well as prescribed Allegra d and a z pack because he was worried about infection. Well I checked the nasonex and Allegra d online and found out they are both category c drugs. My previous OB never prescribed c drugs and very rarely prescribed b drugs. Obviously this dr views the drugs differently. Earlier in my pregnancy, he prescribed 2 other category c drugs, without letting me know of the risk. I'm very torn about this situation. I desperately want this condition to get better. It's a constant annoyance and I'm also concerned about risk of infection in my ears. However, I worry that it might cause problems with my baby. I don't know if I should just trust the dr or refuse the treatment. I'm even wondering if I need to switch drs because he's prescribing category c drugs without making me aware of the risk. Any opinions? Please be kind. I'm really trying to seek the best option for me and baby.
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on Jul. 21, 2012 at 8:48 AM
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on Jul. 21, 2012 at 9:26 AM
I would probably switch just because i like to be informed. And i'm not saying i wouldn't ever take a category c drug. I would have to be at my wits end though
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on Jul. 21, 2012 at 9:32 AM
I'm taking a category B drug... And refused other things that might be harmful to my baby. Im going to be 27 weeks on Monday.... And I feel like taking more meds or doing other procedures are not necessary. The pregnancy has been going well as expected, will be over soon and I can bear it till after I give birth. It really is your decision.
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on Jul. 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Could you maybe ask him if there is something similar with a little less risk? (sorry if you already have). This is a toughie! I hope you get a solution that's good for both you and baby so you can get well soon. GL!
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Emerald Member
on Jul. 21, 2012 at 8:29 PM
I would probably talk to the pharmacist if there is something else which you could take.
by
on Jul. 21, 2012 at 8:39 PM
i went to Africa when I was pregnant and took a C drug because it was my only option for an antimalarial drug. baby was/is completely fine with no complications. it could be C category because there is not a lot of studies done on it - not because it is necessarily harmful to baby. go with your gut.
by
on Jul. 22, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Dear, phenergan is a class c drug. Do you know how many pregnant women take it? Before Zofran it was the only drug for nausea! Class C only means that there hasn't been enough human trials done, it doesn't mean that birth defects are associated with the drug. I took Allegra and Allegra D with my first pregnancy as I was miserable. I highly doubt your OB is going to give you a med that is unsafe to you and your baby. If you don't want to take it, dont. OBs have a lot of experience with what drugs can and can't be used during pregnancy and they honestly aren't going to give you something that could cause harm. You should have a little more faith in your dr.
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Emerald Member
on Jul. 22, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Are you saying that you asked about the risks and the doctor denied them? Or just never gave you the info to begin with?
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Bronze Member
on Jul. 22, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Nasonex should be fine since you only absorb a small amount of the drug, it works locally in the nose. It works very similar to Afrin and I have used it this pregnancy with no effects to my baby.
The Allegra should be fine but if the Claritin is working for you then stick with it instead.
FYI:
| United States FDA Pharmaceutical Pregnancy Categories | |
| Pregnancy Category A | Adequate and well-controlled human studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters). |
| Pregnancy Category B | Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women OR Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester. |
| Pregnancy Category C | Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| Pregnancy Category D | There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks. |
| Pregnancy Category X | Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits. |
| Pregnancy Category N | FDA has not classified this drug. |
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Silver Member
on Jul. 22, 2012 at 11:07 PM
I have just started taking a C. I told her that I didn't want to start it during my pregnancy, but she insisted. I just have issues with manufactured drugs period. I don't trust them. I seriously wish I could give birth Dr. And hospital free. They interfere way to much imo.
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on Jul. 23, 2012 at 1:18 AM
consider the alternative to not taking them. If you end up with an infection you will need to take antibiotics as well. If an infection, or becomes worse that could do more harm and damage to your body than the initial treatment would. If my dr prescribed them, I would probably take them. But as suggested, talk to the pharmacist about taking them while pregnant. They will be able to offer you all the information you are seeking, as well as possibly suggest an alternative if there is something safer.
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on Jul. 21, 2012 at 8:48 AM