Dexedrine and Pregnancy

There are some situations in which it may not be safe to take Dexedrine, and pregnancy is one of them. The FDA has classified Dexedrine as a pregnancy Category C medication, meaning that it does appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. There was also a report of birth defects in a baby born to a woman who took Dexedrine while pregnant. However, a healthcare provider may prescribe Dexedrine for a pregnant woman if the benefits to the woman outweigh the risk to the unborn child.

 

Is It Safe to Take Dexedrine During Pregnancy?

Dexedrine® (dextroamphetamine sulfate) may not be safe for use in women who are pregnant. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of Dexedrine during pregnancy.
 

Dexedrine and Pregnancy Category C

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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
 
Dexedrine was given a pregnancy Category C rating because it was shown to cause birth defects and miscarriages in mice. Also, there has been one report of birth defects in a baby whose mother took Dexedrine (and other medications) while pregnant.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Dexedrine and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;