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Zithromax and Pregnancy

The FDA considers Zithromax a pregnancy Category B medicine, which means that while the drug has not been studied in pregnant humans, it showed no harm to the fetus in previous animal studies. A healthcare provider may prescribe Zithromax to a pregnant woman if he or she decides that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to her unborn child. If you're taking Zithromax and pregnancy occurs, let your healthcare provider know.

 

Zithromax and Pregnancy: An Overview

Zithromax® (azithromycin) is considered a pregnancy Category B medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. However, when studied in pregnant animals, Zithromax showed no negative effects on unborn babies.
 

Zithromax and Pregnancy Category B

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do not appear cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant and have been prescribed Zithromax, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of taking Zithromax 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;