The Basics
What is Flunisolide?
Used to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose caused by hay fever or other allergies.
Brand names for Flunisolide
Aerospan
How Flunisolide is classified
Anti-Allergic Agents, Anti-Asthmatic Agents, Corticosteroids – Inhaled, Glucocorticoids, Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Flunisolide During Pregnancy
Flunisolide pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Flunisolide while pregnant
As with other corticosteroids, flunisolide hemihydrate has been shown to be teratogenic and fetotoxic in rabbits and ratsat doses of 40 and 200 mcg/kg/day, respectively, (approximately 1 and 3 times themaximum recommended daily inhalation dose on a mg/m2 basis, respectively). There areno adequate and well-controlled studies of flunisolide hemihydrate in pregnant women.AEROSPAN Inhalation Aerosol should be used during pregnancy only if the potentialbenefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.Experience with oral corticosteroids since their introduction in pharmacologic, asopposed to physiological, doses suggests that rodents are more prone to teratogeniceffects from corticosteroids than humans.
Taking Flunisolide While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Flunisolide?
Although not measured, the amounts of inhaled corticosteroids absorbed into the maternal bloodstream and excreted into breastmilk are probably too small to affect a breastfed infant. Reviewers and an expert panel consider inhaled and oral corticosteroids acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1][2][3]
Maternal / infant drug levels
Although not measured, the amounts of inhaled corticosteroids absorbed into the maternal bloodstream and excreted into breastmilk are probably too small to affect a breastfed infant. Reviewers and an expert panel consider inhaled and oral corticosteroids acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1][2][3]
Possible effects of Flunisolide on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Flunisolide
(Inhaled) Beclomethasone.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Greenberger PA, Patterson R. The management of asthma during pregnancy and lactation. Clin Rev Allergy. 1987;5:317-24. PMID: 3319123
2. Ellsworth A. Pharmacotherapy of asthma while breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1994;10:39-41. PMID: 7619245
3. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Asthma and Pregnancy Working Group. NAEPP expert panel report. Managing asthma during pregnancy: recommendations for pharmacologic treatment-2004 update. 2004;1-57. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/astpreg.htm
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
