Zocor and Pregnancy

Is Zocor Safe During Pregnancy?

Zocor^® (simvastatin) is a pregnancy Category X medicine, meaning that Zocor could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. Therefore, Zocor is not recommended in women who are pregnant. If you are taking Zocor and become pregnant, or are thinking of becoming pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider immediately.

 

Zocor 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 a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category X is given to medicines that show problems to the fetus in animal studies or in humans who have mistakenly taken the medicine. The use of a pregnancy Category X medicine during pregnancy is not recommended.

 

Zocor 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 on 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 Zocor while pregnant. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, please make sure that you discuss Zocor and pregnancy with your healthcare provider.