Atorvast-Natrapharm Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Use in pregnancy: Atorvastatin is contraindicated during pregnancy. Cholesterol and other products of cholesterol biosynthesis are essential components for fetal development (including synthesis of steroids and cell membranes). Atorvastatin should be administered to women of childbearing age only when such patients are highly unlikely to conceive and have been informed of the possible harm. If the patient becomes pregnant while taking atorvastatin, the drug should be discontinued immediately and the patient apprised of the potential harm to the fetus. Atherosclerosis being a chronic process, discontinuation of lipid metabolism regulating drugs during pregnancy should have little impact on the outcome of long-term therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia.
Use in lactation: In rats, milk concentrations of atorvastatin are similar to those in plasma. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, women taking atorvastatin should not breastfeed.