Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Crofelemer is minimally absorbed systemically by the oral route of administration and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . In pregnant rats, no adverse fetal effects were observed with oral administration of crofelemer at doses up to 177 times the recommended clinical dose during the period of organogenesis. In pregnant rabbits, an increase in fetal resorptions and abortions compared to controls were observed with crofelemer at a dose of 96 times the recommended clinical dose. However, it is not clear whether these effects in rabbits are related to the maternal toxicity (decreased body weight and decreased food consumption) observed at this dose (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Crofelemer was not teratogenic and did not produce embryofetal toxicity in pregnant rats following oral administration at doses up to 738 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. The 738 mg/kg/day dose is 177 times the recommended daily human dose of 4.2 mg/kg/day. Crofelemer was not teratogenic in pregnant rabbits following oral administration at doses up to 400 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. At a dose level of 400 mg/kg/day, which is 96 times the recommended daily human dose of 4.2 mg/kg/day, crofelemer produced an increase in fetal resorptions and abortions compared to controls. However, it is not clear whether these effects are related to the maternal toxicity (decreased body weight and decreased food consumption) observed.