Can I Take Marinol When Pregnant?
Marinol® (
dronabinol) is a prescription medication used to treat loss of appetite associated with weight loss in people with
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), as well as nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy. Based on the results of animal studies, it may not be safe for pregnant women to take Marinol.
What Is Pregnancy Category C?
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 C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
In addition, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
In studies, giving Marinol to pregnant mice and rats increased the risk of miscarriages. This medication also decreased weight gain in the pregnant rats and mice. These effects were more common at very high
Marinol dosages.
However, it is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines in the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant while taking Marinol, let your healthcare provider know.
He or she will consider the benefits and risks of taking Marinol before making a recommendation in your particular situation.
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