Avastin and Pregnancy: An Overview
Avastin® (
bevacizumab) is a prescription medication approved to treat various types of cancer. It may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known at this time. Animal studies have suggested that Avastin may cause problems when used in pregnant women.
Avastin and Pregnancy Category C
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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but that do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
When given to rabbits, Avastin increased the risk of miscarriages, birth defects, and low fetal weight. The drug works by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels. New blood vessel growth is extremely important for fetal development, and Avastin likely causes
problems during pregnancy by inhibiting this blood vessel growth.
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
If you are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant while taking Avastin, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of taking the drug during pregnancy before making a recommendation in your particular situation.
