Acyclovir topical Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Warnings
Acyclovir topical is also known as: Zovirax, Zovirax Topical
Overview
If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Acyclovir Ointment while you are pregnant. It is not known if Acyclovir Ointment is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Acyclovir Ointment, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Acyclovir topical Pregnancy Warnings
Acyclovir topical has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetotoxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Acyclovir topical should only be used during pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.
In a review of 229,101 deliveries to Michigan Medicaid patients, 391 first trimester exposures to acyclovir and 1081 exposures any time during pregnancy were recorded. These exposures include systemic and nonsystemic exposures. A total of 18 birth defects were reported with first trimester exposure (17 expected) and included (observed/expected) 5/4 cardiovascular defects, 1 polydactyly, and limb reductions. (Written communication, Franz Rosa, MD, Food and Drug Administration, 1994.)
Acyclovir topical Lactation Warnings
There are no data on the excretion of topically applied acyclovir into breast milk. Systemically administered acyclovir is excreted into and concentrated in human milk. However, the agent is used to treat viral infections in the neonate and adverse effects in nursing infants exposed via breast milk have not been reported in the literature. In one woman, measurement of breast milk levels revealed an infant would be exposed to 1% of the maternal dosage or 0.73 mg/kg/day. No adverse effects were noted in this nursing infant. Acyclovir is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breast-feeding should be avoided if herpetic lesions are on or near the breast.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Wolters Kluwer Health and Drugs.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2008 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
