Can I take prednisolone while pregnant or breastfeeding?

PREGNANCY Teratogenic Effects Prednisolone has been shown to be teratogenic in many species when given in doses equivalent to the human dose. Animal studies in which prednisolone has been given to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits have yielded an increased incidence of cleft palate in the offspring. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (10 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL), Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (15 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL), Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (20 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL) and Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate (25 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL) should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Infants born to mothers who have received corticosteroids during pregnancy should be carefully observed for signs of hypoadrenalism.

Prescribing label, section “Pregnancy”: Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate (oral), ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Amounts of prednisolone in breastmilk are very low. No adverse effect have been reported in breastfed infants with maternal use of any corticosteroid during breastfeeding. Although it is often recommended to avoid breastfeeding for 4 hours after a dose this maneuver is not necessary because prednisolone milk levels are very low. Medium to large doses of corticosteroids given systemically or injected into joints or the breast have been reported to cause temporary reduction of lactation.

Because absorption from the eye is limited, ophthalmic prednisolone would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Prednisolone” (LM223), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Prednisolone while breastfeeding.

NURSING MOTHERS Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Caution should be exercised when Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (10 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL), Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (15 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL), Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution (20 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL) and Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate (25 mg Prednisolone per 5 mL) is administered to a nursing woman.

Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate (oral), ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.