Aceon and Pregnancy

Because Aceon and pregnancy may be a dangerous combination, the FDA has labeled Aceon a pregnancy Category D drug. Possible side effects that could occur in the fetus or newborn include facial deformities, developmental problems, or kidney failure. If you are taking Aceon and pregnancy occurs, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about whether continuing the drug is right for your situation.

 

Aceon and Pregnancy: An Overview

Aceon® (perindopril erbumine) is usually not recommended for women who are pregnant. This is because during pregnancy, Aceon can cause temporary or permanent problems (including death) to the unborn child.
 

Aceon and Pregnancy: What Is the Risk?

Prior to 2006, there was a common belief among healthcare providers regarding the use of Aceon during pregnancy. The feeling was that problems were generally seen when the drug was taken during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. However, that changed when a study by researchers at Vanderbilt University was published in the June 2006 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. This study showed that there may, in fact, also be an increased risk to the fetus if it is exposed to Aceon during the first trimester.
 
Some of the complications seen with fetuses or newborns exposed to Aceon during pregnancy include:
 
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Developmental problems with the nervous system
  • Developmental problems with the cardiovascular system (this includes the heart and/or blood vessels)
  • Developmental problems with the lungs
  • Inadequate growth (intrauterine growth restriction) 
  • Kidney failure
  • Deformities of the head and face
  • Loss of life.
 
(Aceon 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;