Regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognize amoxicillin as safe to use while pregnant. Each pregnancy is different, and it is important to discuss options with an obstetrician before moving forward on a course of treatment. Pregnant women must also weigh the risks of not treating a medical condition against the hazards of treatment, as it may be more dangerous to fail to act than it would be to take a medication known to be generally safe for use during pregnancy.
The Food and Drug Administration classifies amoxicillin while pregnant in category B, meaning that no testing has shown the drug to be harmful to developing fetuses, although testing has not been extensive to categorically say the drug is completely safe. Many other antibiotics are definitely dangerous during pregnancy, causing issues like tooth discoloration and hearing loss, and amoxicillin is among the best choices for antibiotics to take for infections during pregnancy.
Taking amoxicillin while pregnant may not always be completely safe. A woman with a history of allergic reactions to amoxicillin or penicillin antibiotics in general should not take this medication while pregnant, as an allergic response could endanger the baby. This antibiotic may also interact badly with some medications, endangering the life of the mother or fetus. People with no known personal history of allergies to amoxicillin who have a family history of allergies may want to discuss this with a doctor before deciding to take amoxicillin during a pregnancy, as it is possible they may be at increased risk of allergies.
Data on use of amoxicillin while pregnant suggests no obvious connection between this antibiotic and dangers to the health of mother or fetus. Failing to treat an infection, on the other hand, can result in significant risks to the pregnancy. Severe infections may lead to issues like systemic shock and could cause pregnancy loss or birth defects. When a doctor identifies an infection and prescribes amoxicillin, this is done with the goal of preventing severe complications. The patient should take the complete course of antibiotics and report side effects promptly, in case these are signs of an allergy to the amoxicillin.
Patients concerned about taking amoxicillin while pregnant can discuss the situation with an obstetrician. The doctor may be able to recommend alternative antibiotics. Generally, however, the obstetrician will agree with the initial prescribing doctor, recommending antibiotic use to kill the infection and head off future complications.