Abreva and Pregnancy

No human studies have been done on Abreva and pregnancy. However, when the drug was given to pregnant animals, it did not appear to cause any problems. Because animals and humans can respond to drugs in different ways, if you are taking Abreva and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will consider the benefits and risks in your particular situation.

 

Abreva and Pregnancy: An Overview

Abreva® (docosanol) is a non-prescription cold sore treatment. The manufacturer of the drug recommends that pregnant women consult their healthcare providers before taking it.
 

Abreva and Pregnancy Category B

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a 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 thoroughly studied in pregnant humans but that do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Pregnancy Category B is also given to medications that caused problems in animal studies but have been shown to be safe for humans.
 
Studies of Abreva in pregnant animals did not cause any problems. However, the drug has not been studied in pregnant women, and it is important to keep in mind that animals and humans do not always respond to drugs in the same way.
 

Abreva and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication (including non-prescription products). The two of you can consider the possible risks and benefits of using Abreva in your particular situation, as well as alternative treatments.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;