Methylprednisolone Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Methylprednisolone is also known as: A-Methapred, Adlone-40, Adlone-80, Dep Medalone 80, Depmedalone, Depo-Medrol, Depoject-80, Depopred, Duralone, M-Prednisolone, Med-Jec-40, Medipred, Medralone, Medralone 40, Medralone 80, Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, Methacort 40, Methacort 80, MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack, Methylcotol, Methylcotolone, Methylpred DP, Predacorten, Solu-Medrol

Methylprednisolone Pregnancy Warnings

Methylprednisolone has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Animal data are conflicting. Some animal studies have revealed evidence of fetal harm when glucocorticoids were administered to pregnant females. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Methylprednisolone is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk. Briggs, et. al. has assigned pregnancy Risk Factor C to methylprednisolone and pregnancy Risk Factor D if used in the first trimester.

Prednisone and other corticosteroids have been used during human pregnancy without evidence of teratogenicity. While an early study found a higher incidence of stillbirths among women treated with prednisone during pregnancy, this finding has not been confirmed by subsequent reports. A case of congenital cataracts has been reported in an infant exposed to prednisone throughout pregnancy.

Methylprednisolone Breastfeeding Warnings

There are no data on the excretion of methylprednisolone into human milk. However, some corticosteroids are distributed into breast milk and could cause growth suppression and/or other adverse effects in nursing infants. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

See Also...

• Methylprednisolone use while Breastfeeding (in more detail)
• Methylprednisolone Consumer Information
• Pregnancy Support Group
• FDA Pregnancy Categories
• Medicine use during Pregnancy
• Medicine use while Breastfeeding
• Safe Medications during Breastfeeding

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