Pregnancy
Oral contraceptives should not be used during pregnancy. Oral contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy and should be stopped immediately if a pregnancy is detected. Use of oral contraceptives during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with negative effects for the mother and the fetus.
Category: X
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
Breastfeeding
Excretion into human milk: Yes (Drospirenone)
Studies done on the risks of oral contraceptives containing drospirenone while breastfeeding have shown to be harmful to the baby. These oral contraceptives should not be used during breastfeeding.
References
- Medlineplus.gov. (2018). Estrogen and Progestin (Oral contraceptives): MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601050.html. [Accessed 7 June. 2018]
- PubmedHealth.gov. (2018). Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0046169/. [Accessed 7 June 2018]
- Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. (2018). Oral contraceptives (combined). [online] Available at: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~1inLKx:4. [Accessed 4 June. 2018].
- Uptodate.com. (2018). Ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone. [online] Available at: https://www-uptodate-com.eresources.mssm.edu/contents/ethinyl-estradiol-and-drospirenone-drug-information?search=drospirenone%20ethinyl%20estradiol&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~17&usage_type=default&display_rank=1. [Accessed 7 June. 2018].
- Epocrates.com. (2018). Drospirenone/ ethinyl estradiol. [online] Available at: https://online.epocrates.com/drugs/253010/drospirenone-ethinyl-estradiol/Monograph. [Accessed 7 June. 2018].