On August 3rd the FDA issued a warning against CHRONIC use of a common anti-fungal infection drug, fluconazole (Diflucan), in high doses during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. The doses they are considering high are between 400 - 800 mg per day. This chronic high dose use may be associated with certain birth defects. Right now the FDA stresses that the risk doesn't appear to be associated with single doses of 150 mg used in treating yeast infections.
That has probably scared alot of newly pregnant women who get a yeast infection as one of their first symptoms of pregnancy. But the few published studies are showing a specific birth-defect in infants exposed in utero to this high-dose chronic maternal use during a majority of the 1st trimester. Along with the high dose, they received the drug via IV and the mothers also had a genetic disorder.
But being that human studies have shown effects, the FDA has changed the pregnancy rating to D, which means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, based on human testing/ study data. BUT for one dose, low dose use for yeast infections fluconazole (Diflucan) is still rated category C. The FDA is also recommending that prior to prescribing, Physicians counsel their patients.
For further information, please see the FDA website.
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