Neurontin and Pregnancy

Animal studies on Neurontin and pregnancy suggest that the drug is likely not safe for women to take when pregnant. In these studies, the drug increased miscarriages and caused problems in the kidneys and urinary tract. However, because animals and humans do not always respond to drugs in the same way, if you are taking Neurontin and pregnancy occurs, your healthcare provider will consider the benefits and risks in your particular situation.

 

Is Neurontin Safe During Pregnancy?

Neurontin® (gabapentin) may not be safe for pregnant women, although the full risks are not known at this time due to a lack of information about the drug's safety in pregnant humans. In studies that looked at the effects of Neurontin during pregnancy in animals, the drug caused several problems.
 

Neurontin and Pregnancy Category C

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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but that 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.
 
Studies of Neurontin in pregnant rodents suggest that the drug may delay the growth and development of the fetus (especially affecting the bones). When given to pregnant rats, Neurontin caused problems in the kidneys and urinary tract. When given to pregnant rabbits, it increased the risk of miscarriages.
 
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines 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 mother outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Neurontin and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;