Rifampin Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Warnings
Rifampin is also known as: Rifadin, Rifadin IV, Rimactane
Overview
If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Rifampin while you are pregnant. Rifampin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Rifampin .
Rifampin Pregnancy Warnings
Rifampin has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data from human pregnancy studies. Congenital anomalies have been associated with the use of rifampin during pregnancy. Rifampin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.
Rifampin crosses the human placenta. Data reveal a fetal:maternal serum concentration ratio of 0.23. Reports of the use of rifampin during pregnancy generally involve multiple drug therapy. In a review of 204 pregnancies during which exposure to rifampin occurred, 7 malformations were thought to be due to drug therapy, including anencephaly (1 case), hydrocephalus (2 cases), limb malformations (3 cases), and renal tract abnormalities (1 case). Hemorrhagic complications resulting from vitamin K deficiency, have been rarely associated with the use of rifampin. Some experts recommend prophylactic vitamin K during rifampin therapy if dietary vitamin K intake is inadequate. The initial therapy of active tuberculosis in pregnant patients recommended by the Centers for Disease Control includes rifampin. Rifampin is also recommended by the American Thoracic Society.
Rifampin Lactation Warnings
Rifampin is excreted into human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, the decision should be made to either discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug based on the importance of the therapy to the mother.
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