Ponstel and Pregnancy

Animal studies that looked at pregnancy and Ponstel showed that the drug may pose risks to the fetus. However, animals can respond to medications differently than humans, so a healthcare provider can still prescribe Ponstel if he or she believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.

 

Is Ponstel Safe During Pregnancy?

Most healthcare providers do not recommend taking Ponstel® (mefenamic acid) during pregnancy because it can possibly cause problems in the unborn child or complicate labor and delivery. Taking the drug at all during the third trimester should be avoided.
 
Ponstel is considered a pregnancy Category C medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that it has not been studied in pregnant women. However, when studied in pregnant animals, problems were seen with the fetus. This suggests that Ponstel could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. It is important to note, however, that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do.
 

Ponstel and Pregnancy Category C

The 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 women but that show side effects to the fetus in animal studies. A pregnancy Category C medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider the benefits and risks of taking Ponstel during pregnancy before making a recommendation in your particular situation.
 
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;