Niaspan and Pregnancy

Niaspan is classified as a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that studies in animals suggest it could potentially cause harm to an unborn child. A doctor may prescribe Niaspan to a pregnant woman if he or she decides that its benefits to the woman outweigh the possible risk to the fetus. If you are taking Niaspan and pregnancy occurs, let your healthcare provider know immediately.

Is Niaspan Safe During Pregnancy? -- An Overview

Niaspan® (niacin extended-release) is considered a pregnancy Category C medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that Niaspan has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies on pregnant animals suggest that Niaspan could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. Niaspan may be recommended during pregnancy only if the benefits to you outweigh the risks to your unborn child.
 

Niaspan and Pregnancy Category C

The FDA uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy.
 Pregnancy Category C is given to medicines that show side effects to the fetus in animal studies, but for which no human studies in pregnant women have been done. It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that its benefits outweigh the possible risks to her unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Niaspan, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of Niaspan during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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