Using Fioricet during pregnancy is recommended only if the benefits to the mother greatly outweigh the risks to the fetus.
Actually we do not suggest you take fioricet while you are pregnant. All three components of Fioricet can pass through the uterus, and the drug may cause abnormalities. The lowest risk strategy is to avoid taking this medication when pregnant.
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted on this combination product. Epidemiologic data for acetaminophen, including a population based case-control study from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (n= 11,610) and data from 26,424 live singleton births have shown no increased risk of major birth defects in children with first trimester prenatal exposure.
In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration released results of their evaluation on published research studies looking at mothers who took acetaminophen (either over the counter or as a prescription product) at any time during their pregnancy and the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) in their babies.
They found all studies reviewed had potential limitations in their designs that prevented drawing reliable conclusions. Barbiturates have been reported to readily cross the placental barrier. A 2-day old infant whose mother had taken a butalbital-containing product during the last two months of pregnancy experienced withdrawal seizures; butalbital was found in the infant’s serum. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Drug components of Fioricet can also be passed to the infant while breastfeeding and can accumulate in their body. The effects can be dangerous, and Fioricet should also be avoided while breastfeeding if possible.