Thiopental Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Pentothal

Thiopental Pregnancy Warnings

Caution is recommended.

AU TGA pregnancy category: A

Comments:
-This drug readily crosses the placental barrier; the concentration in cord vein blood is at its maximum 2 to 3 minutes after an IV dose is administered to the mother. The fetal blood level is related to maternal blood level but is considerably lower.
-This drug can be used without adverse effects during pregnancy; however, it should only be used when the expected benefits outweigh any potential risks.

Published studies in pregnant animals demonstrate that the use of anesthetic/analgesic and sedation drugs that block NMDA receptors and/or potentiate GABA activity during the period of rapid brain growth or synaptogenesis may result in neuronal and oligodendrocyte cell loss in the developing brain and alterations in synaptic morphology and neurogenesis when used for longer than 3 hours. These studies included anesthetic agents from a variety of drug classes. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy

AU TGA pregnancy category A: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.

See references

Thiopental Breastfeeding Warnings

A decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Breast-feeding should be temporarily suspended for at least 12 hours or breast milk expressed before the induction of anesthesia.

See references

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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