Exelon and Pregnancy

Although animal studies on Exelon and pregnancy show that the drug did not cause problems when it was given to pregnant rats and rabbits, the medication has not been studied in pregnant humans. Since Exelon is only approved for treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia, however, it is unlikely that a woman of childbearing age would need to take it.

 

Is Exelon Safe During Pregnancy?

Exelon® (rivastigmine tartrate) is a prescription medication approved to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. Animal studies indicate that the drug is probably safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not currently known.
 

Exelon and Pregnancy Category B

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 B is given to medicines that have not been adequately studied in pregnant humans but that do not appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
 
In studies, Exelon did not cause problems when it was given to pregnant rabbits and rats. It has not been studied in any pregnant women.
 
It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do, and it may be possible that Exelon could cause problems in pregnant humans. Therefore, a pregnancy Category B medicine should be given to a pregnant woman only if her healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child. It is important to note that Exelon is approved only for the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia, conditions that are unlikely likely to occur in women of childbearing age.
 
(Exelon and Pregnancy Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;