Concerns regarding the safety of azithromycin in pregnancy - relevance for women with cystic fibrosis.

ABSTRACT

Chronic oral azithromycin therapy improves clinical outcomes in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), and is recommended for treatment of CF lung disease. Azithromycin is categorized as pregnancy class B. The data for risk of congenital malformations associated with use of azithromycin during pregnancy ranges from no risk to a small increased risk. As with other chronic medications used to treat CF, potential risk to the infant of use of azithromycin during pregnancy must be weighed against the potential risk to the mother of treatment discontinuation. Women with CF considering pregnancy while on chronic azithromycin should be counseled regarding potential risks and benefits.