The safety of omeprazole during pregnancy: a multicenter prospective controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether omeprazole use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of malformations, spontaneous abortions, decreased birth weight, or perinatal complications.


METHODS
In a multicenter, prospective controlled study, pregnant women exposed to omeprazole during gestation were matched with controls exposed to nonteratogens and with disease-paired controls who used histamine blockers for similar indications. The primary end point was the incidence of major malformations.


RESULTS
One hundred thirteen pregnant women were exposed to omeprazole during pregnancy. Rates of major malformations in the omeprazole group (4%) did not differ from controls exposed to nonteratogens (2%) (P = .68, relative risk = 1.94, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 10.36) and disease-paired controls (2.8%). Birth weight, gestational age at delivery, preterm deliveries, and neonatal complications were comparable among the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
No association was found between exposure to omeprazole during the period of organogenesis and increased risk for major malformations. Exposure throughout pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortions, decreased birth weight, or perinatal complications.
Motherisk program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
A
A
Lalkin
R
R
Loebstein
A
A
Addis
F
F
Ramezani-Namin
P
P
Mastroiacovo
T
T
Mazzone
T
T
Vial
M
M
Bonati
G
G
Koren
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009853:Omeprazole