Altoprev and Pregnancy

Because Altoprev is classified as a pregnancy Category X medicine, many women have questions about Altoprev and pregnancy. Taking this drug during pregnancy poses a risk to the unborn child, so pregnant women are recommended not to take Altoprev. Given the years or decades that it takes for the effects of high cholesterol to cause problems, treating high cholesterol with Altoprev can be postponed temporarily.

 

Altoprev and Pregnancy: An Overview

Altoprev® (lovastatin extended-release) is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that Altoprev could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. Therefore, Altoprev is not recommended for women who are pregnant. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
 

Altoprev and Pregnancy Category X

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category X is given to medicines that show problems to the fetus in pregnant animal studies or in humans that have mistakenly taken the medicine. The use of a pregnancy Category X medicine during pregnancy is not recommended.
 

Altoprev and Pregnancy: Suggestions

The
 effects of high cholesterol do not cause problems for many years or even decades. Therefore, it should be expected that if a woman does not take cholesterol medicine during pregnancy it will have little impact of any long-term risks. Since there is little benefit and a very real risk during pregnancy, your healthcare provider will recommend that you not take Altoprev while pregnant. Women who are thinking of becoming pregnant should make sure to discuss Altoprev and pregnancy with their healthcare provider.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;