Metronidazole Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Warnings

Metronidazole is also known as: Flagyl, Flagyl 375, Flagyl ER, Flagyl IV, Flagyl IV RTU, Metro, Metro IV, Metryl, Protostat

Overview

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Metronidazole while you are pregnant. Do not use Metronidazole in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Metronidazole is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Metronidazole .

Metronidazole Pregnancy Warnings

Metronidazole has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to find evidence of fetotoxicity except when the drug was administered intraperitoneally. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Data from case reports and retrospective analyses are conflicting. Based on inconclusive data and evidence of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in some laboratory tests and animal species, metronidazole should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk and when alternative treatments have been ineffective. The use of metronidazole is contraindicated during the first trimester.

Metronidazole Lactation Warnings

Metronidazole is secreted in breast milk in concentrations similar to those found in plasma. Because of the potential for tumorigenicity, shown for metronidazole in mouse and rat studies, decide whether to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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