Xalatan and Pregnancy

Animal studies on Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) and pregnancy show that the medication could be dangerous. When given to pregnant rabbits, high doses of the medication were lethal to the developing embryos or fetuses. Since Xalatan has not been studied in pregnant women, however, the full risks to humans are not known. If you are using Xalatan and pregnancy occurs, notify your healthcare provider immediately.

 

An Overview of Xalatan and Pregnancy

Xalatan® (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is a prescription medication approved to treat glaucoma and high eye pressure. Xalatan is part of a group of medications known as prostaglandins. It is not clear whether Xalatan is safe for use during pregnancy, as the full risks are not currently known.
 

Xalatan 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.
 
Xalatan was given a pregnancy Category C rating because of problems seen in animal studies. When given to pregnant rabbits, very high doses of Xalatan were lethal to the developing rabbit embryos or fetuses. Xalatan has not been studied in pregnant women, and it is not known whether similar problems would occur in humans.
 
It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in 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 pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
 
(Xalatan 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;