Adipex and Pregnancy

Since no human or animal studies have been conducted on Adipex and pregnancy, it is not fully understood whether the medication is safe for pregnant women. There have been some reports of lung problems and stillbirths possibly related to Adipex-P use during pregnancy, however, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the possible risks if you are taking Adipex and pregnancy occurs.

 

An Overview of Adipex and Pregnancy

Adipex-P® (phentermine) is a prescription weight-loss drug. Because Adipex-P has not been studied in any pregnant animals or women, it may not be safe for use during pregnancy.
 

Adipex 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.
 
Adipex-P has not been studied in any pregnant women or animals. There have been a few reports of lung problems and stillbirths possibly related to Adipex-P use during pregnancy. Also, Adipex-P is chemically related to amphetamines, a group of drugs that has been shown to increase the risk of birth defects and miscarriages. Since it is not known whether Adipex-P is safe to use during pregnancy (and since taking Adipex-P is not absolutely necessary), it is generally not recommended for pregnant women.
 

Adipex and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication. Adipex-P should probably not be taken during pregnancy. If you are concerned about your weight during pregnancy, please discuss this with your healthcare provider.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;