Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking perindopril

Perindopril and pregnancy

Perindopril is not recommended in pregnancy. It can affect your baby's kidneys, particularly if it's taken in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This can result in long term damage to your baby's kidneys.

If you're already pregnant, stop taking perindopril and talk to your doctor straight away. Usually your doctor will be able to prescribe a different medicine that is safe to take in pregnancy. Perindopril should be stopped by the time you're 12 weeks pregnant at the latest.

Use contraception if you're taking perindopril and carefully plan any pregnancy with your doctor, pregnancy specialist (obstetrician) or hospital doctor. They will want to review your medical condition and medicine before you get pregnant.

Most women come off perindopril before getting pregnant, but some may continue up until they have a positive pregnancy test and then stop. Your doctor will discuss what's best for you, based on your medical condition and the risks and benefits of perindopril.

Perindopril and breastfeeding

You may be able to take perindopril while breastfeeding, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. It is best not to take perindopril if your baby was born prematurely, but your doctor will help you decide.

There's not much information about using perindopril while breastfeeding, but it shows that only very small amounts of perindopril pass into breast milk, which is unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. However, there is a very small risk that it could lower your baby's blood pressure. Your doctor might recommend a different medicine for you to take.

It's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual or putting on weight as you would expect
• seems unusually sleepy
• looks much paler than usual
• is irritable
• has diarrhoea or constipation, or is being sick (vomiting)
• is peeing less (fewer wet nappies)

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Perindopril and fertility

There's no good evidence that perindopril affects fertility in either men or women.

But if you're trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor as this medicine is not recommended in pregnancy.