This drug should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus

AU TGA pregnancy category: A
US FDA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: D (delayed-release tablets)

Comments:
-Observe for signs and symptoms of hypoadrenalism in infants exposed to this drug in utero.
-Women who become pregnant while using this drug should be apprised of the potential fetal risks.
-The short-term use of corticosteroids antepartum for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome does not seem to pose a risk to the fetus or newborn infant.

Teratogenicity including increased incidence of cleft palate have occurred in animal studies. A number of cohort and case controlled studies in humans suggest maternal corticosteroid use in the first trimester produces a slight increased risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (increased from 1 out of 1000 to 3 to 5 out of 1000 infants). Reduced placental and birth weight have been recorded in animals and humans after long term treatment. There is the possibility of adrenal cortex suppression in the newborn with long term use in the mother; however the short term use of corticosteroids antepartum for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome does not seem to pose a risk to the fetus or the newborn infant. Maternal pulmonary edema has been reported with inhibition of uterine contractions and fluid overload. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.

Use of prednisolone (active metabolite) at high doses for an extended period of time (30 mg/day for a minimum of 4 weeks) has caused reversible disturbances of spermatogenesis that persisted for several months after discontinuation.

AU TGA pregnancy category A: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.

US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

US FDA pregnancy category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

See references

Amounts of glucocorticoids excreted into breast milk are low with a total infant daily dose calculated to be up to 0.23% of the maternal daily dose. For doses up to 10 mg/day, the amount of drug an infant receives via breast milk is undetectable; however the milk/plasma ratio increases with doses above 10 mg/day (e.g., 25% of the serum concentration is found in breast milk when dose is 80 mg/day). If this drug is necessary, the lowest dose should be prescribed as high doses of corticosteroids for long periods could produce infant growth and development problems and interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production. High doses might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply.

This drug should be used only if clearly needed

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-If this drug is necessary, the lowest dose should be prescribed; theoretically, if high maternal doses are necessary, the dose the infant receives may be minimized by avoiding breastfeeding for 4 hours following dosing and using prednisolone instead of prednisone.

See references