An Overview of Patanase During Pregnancy
Patanase® (
olopatadine nasal spray) is a prescription medication approved to treat nasal
allergies. It is part of a group of medications known as antihistamines. It is not clear whether Patanase is safe for use during pregnancy, as the full risks are not currently known.
Patanase and Pregnancy Category C
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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
Patanase was given a pregnancy Category C rating because of problems seen in animal studies. When given to pregnant rabbits and rats, very high doses of Patanase decreased the number of live fetuses. In rats, very high doses of Patanase during pregnancy decreased the survival and body weight of newborn rats. Patanase did not appear to increase the risk of birth defects. Patanase has not been studied in pregnant women.
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 C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
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