Acarbose and Pregnancy

Acarbose and pregnancy have never been tested together in humans, so the drug's possible effect on an unborn child is unknown. But the medicine did not appear to cause harm to the fetus in previous animal studies. It is important to note, however, that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Prior to taking acarbose, let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.

 

Is Acarbose Safe During Pregnancy? -- An Overview

For women who are pregnant, acarbose (Precose®) is generally considered safe. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of acarbose during pregnancy.
 

Acarbose and Pregnancy Category B

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category B is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
 
It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, the full risks of using acarbose in pregnant women are not known. However, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh any possible risks to her unborn child.
 

Recommendations for Using Acarbose During Pregnancy

Prior to taking acarbose, let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of taking acarbose during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;