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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Clarithromycin Be Taken During Pregnancy Without Causing Harm To Fetus?

SOS - clarithromycin and 20 weeks pregnant..... Hi, i am on my 20th week pregnant and had 103 fever that wouldn t go down. My gynecologist prescribed clarithromycin and after a day i was without fever told me to stop it. I took all in all 3 pills of 500 mg clarithromycin. But i just read on FDA that clarithromycin is suspected of side effects in embryos. I asked my gynecologist and he said he had prescribed it before to pregnant women and there was no problem to the baby. But still i am scared. The only positive thing i can think to make me feel better, is that i took only pills. In your knowledge do pills of clarithromycin and antibiotics in general affect the baby during the 20th week of pregnancy?
posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Twitter Thu, 28 Aug 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 28 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hi,
Clarithromycin is a category C drug, i.e., it can cause fetal defects when given during the first trimester of the pregnancy. During the second or mid-trimester, no adverse effects have been observed. As organogenesis is completed by now, there is no risk of fetal malformations. If the benefits of using the drug outweigh the risks, it may be used. You can have a fetal sonogram in another couple of weeks to see the fetal well-being. Please do not worry, everything will be fine. Wish you safe motherhood.
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Can Clarithromycin Be Taken During Pregnancy Without Causing Harm To Fetus?

Hi, Clarithromycin is a category C drug, i.e., it can cause fetal defects when given during the first trimester of the pregnancy. During the second or mid-trimester, no adverse effects have been observed. As organogenesis is completed by now, there is no risk of fetal malformations. If the benefits of using the drug outweigh the risks, it may be used. You can have a fetal sonogram in another couple of weeks to see the fetal well-being. Please do not worry, everything will be fine. Wish you safe motherhood.