There are lots of pregnant women have migraine. Some doctors prescribe them Fioricet. But they are afraid fioricet cross placenta. Will Fioricet cross Placenta ?
consists of a fixed combination of butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine. The role each component plays in the relief of the complex of symptoms known as tension headache is incompletely understood.
Butalbital is some kind of barbiturate, and barbiturates in general may appear in breast milk and readily cross the placental barrier. They are bound to plasma and tissue proteins to a varying degree and binding increases directly as a function of lipid solubility.
Elimination of butalbital is primarily via the kidney (59% to 88% of the dose) as unchanged drug or metabolites. The plasma half-life is about 35 hours. Urinary excretion products include parent drug (about 3.6% of the dose), 5-isobutyl-5-(2, 3-dihydroxypropyl) barbituric acid (about 24% of the dose), 5-allyl-5(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propyl) barbituric acid (about 4.8% of the dose), products with the barbituric acid ring hydrolyzed with excretion of urea (about 14% of the dose), as well as unidentified materials. Of the material excreted in the urine, 32% is conjugated.
The in vitro plasma protein binding of butalbital is 45% over the concentration range of 0.5-20 mcg/mL. This falls within the range of plasma protein binding (20%-45%) reported with other barbiturates such as phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and secobarbital sodium. The plasma-to-blood concentration ratio was almost unity, indicating that there is no preferential distribution of butalbital into either plasma or blood cells.
According to safefetus.com, Fioricet is a Class C drug. It says it does cross the placenta and can cause fetal abnormalities and brain tumors if taken while pregnant.
Butalbital is not suggested as a first-line treatment for headache because it impairs alertness, brings risk of dependence and addiction, and increases the risk that episodic headaches will become chronic.
Babies born to mothers who took medications containing butalbital while pregnant may exhibit withdrawal or addiction symptoms or breathing problems. Pregnant or nursing women should not take medications containing butalbital unless their doctor feels the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks. Taking butalbital while pregnant may result in miscarriage.
The Results of Taking Butalbital While Pregnant ?
Taking Butalbital during pregnancy can have potential risks and adverse effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. Butalbital is classified as a Pregnancy Category C medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that animal reproduction studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. Therefore, the use of Butalbital during pregnancy should be carefully considered, and the potential risks weighed against the benefits.
Here are some potential risks and considerations associated with taking Butalbital during pregnancy:
- Fetal Development: There is limited data on the safety of Butalbital use during pregnancy in humans. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on fetal development, including increased risk of fetal malformations, growth restriction, and developmental delays.
- Neonatal Withdrawal: Prolonged use of Butalbital during pregnancy may lead to neonatal withdrawal syndrome in newborns. Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, jitteriness, feeding difficulties, respiratory depression, and seizures may occur in infants born to mothers who used Butalbital regularly during pregnancy.
- Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: Some studies suggest that the use of Butalbital during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. These outcomes can have long-term health implications for the newborn.
- Maternal Health Risks: In addition to potential risks to the fetus, Butalbital use during pregnancy may also pose risks to maternal health. Pregnant women who take Butalbital may experience side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and dependence, which can affect their well-being and ability to care for themselves and their baby.
- Alternative Treatments: Whenever possible, alternative treatments for pain management should be considered during pregnancy. Non-pharmacological approaches such as relaxation techniques, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy may be safer options for managing headaches and other painful conditions during pregnancy.
- Medical Supervision: If Butalbital is deemed necessary for the treatment of severe headaches or other conditions during pregnancy, it should be used under the close supervision of a healthcare provider. The lowest effective dose should be prescribed for the shortest duration possible to minimize the potential risks to both the mother and the fetus.
Ultimately, the decision to use Butalbital or any medication during pregnancy should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who can carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits based on the individual patient’s medical history, condition, and gestational age. Pregnant women should always disclose all medications they are taking to their healthcare provider to ensure the safest possible outcome for both themselves and their baby.