Is Valtrex Safe During Pregnancy? -- An Overview
Valtrex® (
valacyclovir hydrochloride) is generally considered safe for women who are pregnant. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of Valtrex during pregnancy
Valtrex 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 that do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine may be given to pregnant women if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
Recommendations for Using Valtrex During Pregnancy
If you are taking Valtrex and become pregnant, or are thinking about becoming pregnant while on it, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and the risks of taking Valtrex during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
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