Cozaar XQ Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

PREGNANCY: Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR XQ as soon as possible.
Although there is no experience with the use of COZAAR XQ in pregnant women, animal studies with losartan potassium have demonstrated fetal and neonatal injury and death, the mechanism of which is believed to be pharmacologically mediated through effects on the renin-angiotensin system. In humans, fetal renal perfusion, which is dependent upon the development of the renin-angiotensin system, begins in the second trimester; thus, risk to the fetus increases if COZAAR XQ is administered during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy.
Use of drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy reduces fetal renal function and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and death. Resulting oligohydramnios can be associated with fetal lung hypoplasia and skeletal deformations. Potential neonatal adverse effects include skull hypoplasia, anuria, hypotension, renal failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR XQ as soon as possible.
These adverse outcomes are usually associated with the use of these drugs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Most epidemiologic studies examining fetal abnormalities after exposure to antihypertensive use in the first trimester have not distinguished drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system from other antihypertensive agents. Appropriate management of maternal hypertension during pregnancy is important to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus.
In the unusual case that there is no appropriate alternative to therapy with drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system for a particular patient, apprise the mother of the potential risk to the fetus. Perform serial ultrasound examinations to assess the intra-amniotic environment. If oligohydramnios is observed, discontinue COZAAR XQ, unless it is considered life-saving for the mother. Fetal testing may be appropriate, based on the week of pregnancy. Patients and physicians should be aware, however, that oligohydramnios may not appear until after the fetus has sustained irreversible injury. Closely observe infants with histories of in utero exposure to HYZAAR for hypotension, oliguria, and hyperkalemia.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of amlodipine in pregnant women. The safety of amlodipine in pregnant women has not been established. Amlodipine has been shown to prolong both the gestation period and the duration of labor in rats at the dose 50 times the maximum recommended human dose.
NURSING MOTHERS: While it is not known whether losartan or amlodipine is excreted in human milk, significant levels of amlodipine and/or losartan active metabolite were shown to be present in animal milk. Therefore, nursing mothers should not receive this drug.