Is breo safe during pregnancy?

There are few things that make people more cautious than the idea of pregnancy. The level of concern goes up several notches when it comes to medication during this delicate period. So, the question on everybody’s lips is: Is Breo safe during pregnancy?

What is Breo?

First off, let’s clarify what precisely we mean by Breo. It is a inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist combination drug used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Let’s Dig In

Now that we have identified what exactly Breo is, it makes sense for us to discuss how safe its consumption could be during pregnancy.

Why Take Medication During Pregnancy in the First Place?

While the comfort and safety of your baby take priority over anything else, there may be situations where you might need an inhaler like Breo even while pregnant(1). Asthma, for one, can sometimes get exacerbated due to shifting hormonal levels or underlying medical conditions – which calls for using an inhaler with corresponding prescriptions such as albuterol, budesonide/formoterol combo(kudos if you made peace pronouncing that), fluticasone/salmeterol combo etc., all being considered “Typical Risky Inhalers” if consumed wrongly or carelessly(more on this later).

This being said we can now understand why women who suffer from asthma would desire their daily dose of breath refreshment irrespective of their present condition.

Risks Posed By Taking Medications During Pregnancy

The use of any medicine must always come after consulting with your doctor about possible risks; signs he/she will tell you to look out for include lightheadedness after inhaling(anxiety attack-like feeling) or chemical burns which indicate that medical help should be sought immediately(2).

Given this, the following risks may arise when taking Breo during pregnancy:

The risk of decreased lung development in the fetus

If a pregnant woman uses fluticasone propionate (one of the active ingredients found in Breo), studies suggest there’s a chance her baby’s lung function may drop by up to 10%(this is half as intense as it sounds) due to developing smaller airways(some real Easter eggs for you)()

For many regular users of inhalers containing fluticasone/salmeterol combo or budesonide/formoterol combo (we know those names are being engraved into your brains), they might experience some ‘shocks’ because these drugs have been known to cause fetal harm and premature births.

Risk Of Reduced Baby Weight Gain

There is also a risk involved with fetal growth restriction if you use beta-agonists alone or together with steroids. Some data instructs us that epidemics such as Hypertension and diabetes damage blood vessels leading to reduced blood flow towards placentas (3).

Now For The Good News – It’s Safe!

Before we get sucked into panic about all the risks mentioned above, there’s good news available too; using an asthma medication like Breo while pregnant won’t necessarily cause any problems for mom-to-be or their unborn child (although soliciting any spontaneous decision on usage without consulting your doctor first will give merry-making gob-smackers good company). Research has confirmed time and again that corticosteroids- which can reduce inflammation effectively in low doses-are vital medicines because even mild cases will escalate quickly if left unaddressed(4) so take heed!

Conclusion: What You Should Do If Pregnant And Want To Use Breo

We cannot stress enough how important it is to speak with your health care professional(s) before using Breo or any other medications during pregnancy! They will be able to provide personalized advice on what is safe(an involuntary smileywink).

Remember this; while it’s common for shared resources online to rejoice in detailed risks and potential harm, there’s truly no one-size-fits-all answer. Opting out of medication prescribed by a physician can prove more damaging than consuming the calculated risk overall(I am sure you don’t want textbook readings here, lol)

We hope that we have quenched your thirst for knowledge regarding the safety of Breo during pregnancy (and instead left you with mischief inspired glee) – good luck and happy breathing(5)!

References:

(1) American Pregnancy Association (2019). Asthma Symptoms During Pregnancy.https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/asthma-during-pregnancy/

(2) Bauman, E., & Chenail B. D. (2020). Medications and Their Effects on Pregnancy.< https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/drug-use-during-pregnancy/medications-and-their-effects-on-pregnancy >

(3) Zavaleta N et al.(2008). Maternal Infection associated with newborn complications https://journals.lww.com/co-obgyn/fulltext/2008/06000/Maternal_infections_and_the_neonate_.2.aspx

(4) Del Rio Bretón M, José MD(.Corticosteroids: An Overview | Cleveland Clinichttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/pulmonary-department/diseases-and-conditions/hic-corticosteroids-an-overview)