A woman in pregnancy week 16 + 6 has been treated with losartan (Cozaar), 50 mg x2, during the firs

Fråga: A woman in pregnancy week 16 + 6 has been treated with losartan (Cozaar), 50 mg x2, during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. What could be the harmful effects on the fetus?

Sammanfattning: We have found no information of congenital abnormalities when using losartan during pregnancy.

Svar: We have done a thorough search in Medline, Drugline, and pharmacological handbooks without receiving any information of human teratogenicity in treatment with losartan in pregnant women. We have also had personal communication with professor Bengt Källen (1) who had no data of fetal malformations caused by losartan treatment in pregnant women. The manufacturer (2) has no knowledge of any reports of teratogenicity in animals or humans. Thus, it has presently not been shown that losartan is teratogenic and, simultaneously, it is not known that the drug is safe to use during pregnancy. In the present case, exposure has occurred during the time interval when the fetus is most sensitive to teratogenic effects of drugs but, nevertheless, there is no indication for abortion. It is suggested that the development of the fetus receives extra attention.