Spiriva During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Can Pregnant Women Take Spiriva?
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies that evaluate the effects of Spiriva on human pregnancy. However, animal studies suggest that it may increase the risk of miscarriages and other problems. The manufacturer recommends that this medication be used only if there is a clear need or the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
FDA Pregnancy Category
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Spiriva as a Pregnancy Category C medication. This is because this medicine has not been fully studied in pregnant humans but animal studies suggest that it may cause harm to the unborn fetus.
Animal studies conducted in rats show that tiotropium use during pregnancy may increase the risk of fetal death, low birth weight, and delay sexual maturation of the fetus. In rabbits, use of tiotropium increased the chances of miscarriages. However, this medication has not shown evidence of fetal malformation in rats and rabbits.
Take note, however, that animal studies do not always reflect how humans respond to medicines. Therefore, your healthcare provider may still prescribe you with this medication if the perceived benefits outweigh the possible risks to the fetus. Since Spiriva is essential in the management of people with asthma or COPD, your healthcare provider may recommend continued use of this medication during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Spiriva, be sure to inform your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your condition and consider the benefits and risks of taking this medication during pregnancy before making any recommendation.
Can Breastfeeding Women Take Spiriva?
Since there are no available data that explores whether tiotropium is excreted into human milk, the manufacturer recommends using it with caution in breastfeeding women.
Animal studies conducted on lactating rodents show that tiotropium is passed through the breast milk. However, there are no adequate and well-controlled studies that evaluate presence of breast milk in humans. Furthermore, the possible effects of Spiriva on the breastfed child are also not known. If you have been prescribed with Spiriva while breastfeeding, be sure to monitor your child for any side effects or changes. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any change in the breastfed child.
Discuss with your healthcare provider use of Spiriva if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Each patient is experiences a different situation. Your healthcare provider is in the best position to give you recommendation regarding Spiriva use during breastfeeding. He or she will consider the benefits for you as well as the risks for the child. Depending on your condition, your healthcare provider may either recommend using this medication or discontinuing it.
