Tekturna HCT and Pregnancy

There are some situations in which you should not use Tekturna HCT (aliskiren-HCTZ), and pregnancy is one of them. The FDA has determined that taking the drug during pregnancy poses health risks to the fetus. Some of these complications include skull problems, severe kidney problems, and fetal or newborn death. If you are taking Tekturna HCT and pregnancy occurs, contact your healthcare provider right away.

 

Tekturna HCT and Pregnancy: An Overview

Tekturna HCT® (aliskiren-HCTZ) is a prescription medication approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Pregnant women should not take the drug, due to potential problems that were seen with medications similar to the aliskiren component of Tekturna HCT.
 

Tekturna HCT and Pregnancy Category D

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 D is given to medications that have been shown to present a risk to the fetus in studies of pregnant women but that may still offer benefits that outweigh the risks the drug presents. This means that a pregnancy Category D medicine may still be given to a pregnant woman if her healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh the possible risks to the unborn child.
 
Tekturna HCT was given a Category D classification based on problems seen with other, related blood pressure medications. Because of these potential problems, Tekturna HCT has not been studied in any pregnant women, as it would be unethical.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;