Risks of Taking Aciphex While Pregnant

Aciphex, or rabeprazole sodium, is used to treat acid reflux disease. Pregnant women often experience symptoms of acid reflux, and may wonder if Aciphex is safe for them.

Reports of Problems

According to the Aciphex prescription information sheet, there have been no reported problems associated with the use of Aciphex during pregnancy and lab studies have shown no harm to animal fetuses. However, recent information is leaning towards an increased risk from the use of Aciphex-like drugs during pregnancy. This study, done in 2008 by Dehlink, Yen, Leichtner, Hait and Fiebiger, showed an increase of asthma by nearly 2 percent in exposed children

Overdose

There have been no overdose deaths, according Aciphex prescription sheet, but overdoses were fatal to mice and rats in clinical studies.

Suggested Problem in Breast Milk

The Aciphex prescription information sheet indicates evidence of a decrease in body weight of newborn rats when their mothers have been given Aciphex in late gestation and during lactation.

FDA

The FDA rates Aciphex as a "Category B" drug, meaning that it may be safe, but due to a lack of studies on expectant mothers, it cannot be confirmed as safe.

Use During Pregnancy

The prescription sheet recommends Aciphex for pregnant women only if there is a clear need.

References

• ACIPHEX Prescription Information
• SafeFetus.com
• Clinical & Experimental Allergy

Resources

• Aciphex.com
• RxList