Omeprazole Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Omesec, Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid (Original Formulation)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 22, 2024.

Omeprazole Pregnancy Warnings

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B3
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Risk Summary: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that major malformative risks with use in pregnant patients are unlikely.

Comment: Some experts recommend that use is considered acceptable.

Animal models have revealed evidence of dose-related increases in embryolethality, fetal resorptions, and pregnancy disruptions when animal models were given this drug during organogenesis. Major fetal malformations were not frequently observed in animal models. Embryofetal and postnatal developmental toxicities were observed in offspring of parents given at least 3.4 times an oral human dose of 40 mg.

Embryofetal toxicity is associated with maternally toxic doses given throughout gestation as well as in high doses given to males prior to mating.

AU TGA pregnancy category B3: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage, the significance of which is considered uncertain in humans.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

See references

Omeprazole Breastfeeding Warnings

Use is not recommended.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-This drug is associated with tumorigenicity in animal models, and may suppress gastric acid secretion in the nursing infant.
-The American Academy of Pediatrics state that this drug should be avoided until additional studies can confirm the safe use of this drug during breastfeeding.

In animal models, decreased postpartum offspring growth rates were observed when this drug was administered during late gestation and throughout lactation at oral doses of at least 138 mg/kg/day and IV doses of 3.2 mg/kg/day.

See references

Further information

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