THIS MEDICATION CAN CAUSE HARM TO YOUR BABY:
Due to limited information on safety in pregnancy, calcitriol ointment should only be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women when the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the baby.
What is calcitriol ointment?
Calcitriol ointment is a medication called a Vitamin D analog that contains an active form of Vitamin D.
What is calcitriol ointment used to treat?
Calcitriol ointment is used to treat psoriasis in people over 18 years of age.
How does calcitriol ointment work?
Calcitriol decreases the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body and improves immune system function.
If I am using calcitriol ointment, can it harm my baby?
Available safety information on calcitriol ointment in pregnant women is limited, but recommended doses of calcitriol have not been associated with negative effects in human studies. Animals studies suggest that very high doses of calcitriol increase the risk of negative side effects including high calcium levels in women and infants. Pregnant women should get 400 IU Vitamin D per day, with Vitamin D deficient women able to take up to 4,000 IU Vitamin D per day. Calcitriol ointment should only be used in pregnant women when the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the developing baby. Other medications are recommended over calcitriol ointment in pregnant women.
If I am using calcitriol ointment and become pregnant, what should I do?
Women who are trying to become pregnant or discover they are pregnant should speak with their doctor before using topical calcitriol. There is a lack of information on the safety of topical calcitriol in pregnant women, so it is important to speak with your doctor before using this medication. Both too low and too high Vitamin D levels during pregnancy can negatively affect the mother and the developing baby.
If I am using calcitriol ointment, can I safely breastfeed my baby?
Calcitriol may be excreted into breast milk. There are mixed opinions around whether or not women taking calcitriol should continue nursing infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that breastfeeding is compatible with calcitriol use; however, manufacturer guidance recommends avoiding breastfeeding while taking calcitriol. Calcitriol ointment is generally not recommended in women who are nursing infants. If a woman continues breastfeeding while on calcitriol, calcium levels in infants who are nursing should be monitored. It is important to weigh the risks and benefits of this medication before using in women who are breastfeeding.
If I am using calcitriol ointment, will it be more difficult to get pregnant?
It might be easier – having the right Vitamin D level is associated with improved reproduction in women and better sperm movement and structure in men.
If I am using calcitriol ointment, what should I know?
It is important to speak with your doctor to discuss the safety of topical calcitriol exposure during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Very little information is available on the safety of this medication while pregnant. Calcitriol ointment should only be used in pregnant or nursing women when the benefits are expected to outweigh any negative effects in the baby.
If I am taking any medication, what should I know?
This report provides a summary of available information about the use of calcitriol ointment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Content is from the product label unless otherwise indicated.
You may find Pregistry's expert report about psoriasis here, reports about the individual medications used to treat immune disorders here, and reports about the individual medications used to treat skin conditions here. Additional information can also be found in the resources below.
For more information about calcitriol ointment during and after pregnancy, contact http://www.womenshealth.gov/ (800-994-9662 [TDD: 888-220-5446]) or check the following link:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Vectical Prescribing Information
General information
It is very common for women to worry about having a miscarriage or giving birth to a child with a birth defect while they are pregnant. Many decisions that women make about their health during pregnancy are made with these concerns in mind.
For many women these concerns are very real. As many as 1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These rates are considered the background population risk, which means they do not take into consideration anything about the health of the mom, the medications she is taking, or the family history of the mom or the baby’s dad. A number of different things can increase these risks, including taking certain medications during pregnancy.
It is known that most medications, including over-the-counter medications, taken during pregnancy do get passed on to the baby. Fortunately, most medicines are not harmful to the baby and can be safely taken during pregnancy. But there are some that are known to be harmful to a baby’s normal development and growth, especially when they are taken during certain times of the pregnancy. Because of this, it is important to talk with your doctor or midwife about any medications you are taking, ideally before you even try to get pregnant.
If a doctor other than the one caring for your pregnancy recommends that you start a new medicine while you are pregnant, it is important that you let them know you are pregnant.
If you do need to take a new medication while pregnant, it is important to discuss the possible risks the medicine may pose on your pregnancy with your doctor or midwife. They can help you understand the benefits and the risks of taking the medicine.
Ultimately, the decision to start, stop, or change medications during pregnancy is up to you to make, along with input from your doctor or midwife. If you do take medications during pregnancy, be sure to keep track of all the medications you are taking.