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Zovirax and Pregnancy
In animal studies, Zovirax did not cause any problems during pregnancy. As a result, the FDA classifies it as a pregnancy Category B medication. However, because animals and humans do not always respond to medicines in the same way, if you become pregnant while using Zovirax, your healthcare provider will consider the benefits and risks in your particular situation.
Zovirax® (acyclovir) is generally considered safe for women to take when pregnant. In animal studies that looked at the effects of Zovirax during pregnancy, the drug did not cause any problems.
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 the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine should be given to a pregnant woman only if the 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, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider the benefits and risks of using the medication 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