Nifedipine During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Generic Name: Nifedipine
Indications: High blood pressure, migraine, premature labor.
FDA Drug Category: C

Summary Recommendations: Nifedipine can be prescribed for high blood pressure, migraine headaches and premature labor. Taking the medication as prescribed is important. Never take over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements or other prescription medications with nifedipine without first consulting your physician.

General Precautions: Nifedipine is prescribed to treat high blood pressure, in most cases. High blood pressure can be a life-threatening condition, so never stop taking your blood pressure medication if you find out you’re pregnant. Contact your obstetrician and the prescribing physician to report the pregnancy and discuss the possible impact of taking nifedipine on your pregnancy.

Nifedipine can be used for conditions other than high blood pressure, including premature labor. If you are prescribed the drug for premature labor it is important to take the medication exactly as instructed by your physician.

There is a long list of medications that may interact with nifedipine, including medications for gastrointestinal distress, pain and blood thinners. You MUST report all medications, vitamins, supplements and over the counter medications to your doctor before taking nifedipine.

Effect While Trying to Conceive: Nifedipine has been associated with reduced fertility in men. The drug appears to increase cholesterol in sperm membranes, which negatively impacted fertility in a clinical setting. When at least one patient changed to a different medication, full fertility was restored and conception occurred in a few months after repeated failed attempts and fertility treatments. There does not appear to be any indication of reduced fertility in women taking the medication.

Effects on Pregnancy: Nifedipine has not been associated with birth defects or pregnancy complications in human study, but there have been reported birth defects and complications in animal studies. The drug should not be used unless there are no other medications available with a safer pregnancy history.

Safe During Breastfeeding: Nifedipine does pass from mother to infant in breast milk. While no complications or side effects have been reported, waiting four hours after your last dose before breastfeeding decreases the concentration of the drug in breast milk.