In animal studies on Zovirax cream and pregnancy, the active ingredient of the medication did not appear to cause any problems. As a result, the FDA has classified it as a pregnancy Category B medicine. However, animals do not always respond to medications in the same way as humans. Therefore, if you are using Zovirax cream and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will consider the risks and benefits in your particular situation.
Zovirax Cream and Pregnancy: An Overview
Zovirax® cream (
acyclovir cream) is a prescription medication used to treat
cold sores. It is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy because only a small amount of
acyclovir (the active ingredient) is absorbed into the body. Also, animal studies that looked at the effects of acyclovir during pregnancy suggest that even when the medication is taken orally or intravenously (by IV), it is probably safe to take while pregnant.
Zovirax Cream 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 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 should only be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant while taking
Zovirax cream, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider the benefits and risks of using the medication during pregnancy before making a recommendation in your particular situation.
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