High Dose of Yeast Infection Drug Linked to Birth Defects, FDA Says

Pregnant women who take ongoing, high doses of the drug fluconazole (brand name Diflucan) may be at increased risk of having babies with birth defects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.
The drug is used to treat yeast infections of the vagina, mouth, throat, esophagus and other organs. It's also used to treat meningitis caused by a certain type of fungus and to prevent yeast infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy prior to a bone marrow transplant.
The FDA said chronic, high doses (400 to 800 milligrams per day) of fluconazole during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of a rare and distinct set of birth defects. There doesn't appear to be any increased risk with a single, low dose (150 mg) to treat vaginal yeast infection.
Based on the available information, the FDA has changed the pregnancy category for extended, high-dose fluconazole use (other than vaginal yeast infection) from category C to category D.
Pregnancy category D means there is evidence that this use of the drug poses a risk to human fetuses, but may still be acceptable due to the potential benefits from use in pregnant women with serious or life-threatening conditions, the FDA said.
The pregnancy category for a single, low-dose of fluconazole was not changed and remains category C.
Women who use fluconazole during pregnancy should be informed of the potential risks to the fetus, and women who are or become pregnant while taking the drug should notify their health care providers, the FDA said.