Propecia and Pregnancy

Based on its risks to the unborn fetus, propecia is considered a pregnancy Category X medicine. This classification is based on the results of animal studies that looked at Propecia and pregnancy. The classification can also be assigned to medicines that show problems to the fetus in humans who have mistakenly taken the medicine. Not only should pregnant women not take Propecia, but they should also not touch broken or crushed Propecia tablets.

 

Is Propecia Safe During Pregnancy?

For women who are pregnant, Propecia® (finasteride) is very dangerous. This is based on animal studies that looked at the effects of Propecia during pregnancy. Propecia has been given a pregnancy Category X classification based on its risks to the unborn fetus.
 

Propecia and Pregnancy Category X

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 X is given to medicines that show problems to the fetus in animal studies or in humans who have mistakenly taken the medicine. The use of a pregnancy Category X medicine during pregnancy is not recommended.
 
Propecia should not be used in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. In fact, women who are or may be pregnant should not touch broken or crushed Propecia tablets.
 

Propecia, Pregnancy, and Birth Defects

Propecia works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), thereby decreasing the amount of DHT in the body. Since DHT is important for male genital development, if it taken during pregnancy, Propecia may cause abnormalities to the external genitals of a male fetus.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;