{"id":636210,"date":"2026-05-14T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=636210"},"modified":"2026-05-05T11:20:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:20:42","slug":"prednisone-while-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prednisone-while-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take prednisone while pregnant?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prednisone<\/span><\/a> is an oral corticosteroid used to treat a wide range of conditions, including asthma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. It works by calming the immune system and reducing inflammation in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are pregnant and taking prednisone, or were recently prescribed it, you may be wondering whether it is safe for the fetus. While caution is always important with any medication during pregnancy, prednisone is often the preferred <\/span>corticosteroid<\/span><\/a> in these cases and is commonly recommended when treatment is necessary. Experts explain why, and the risks to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Can you take prednisone while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cPrednisone is commonly used during pregnancy and is generally considered safe when it’s medically necessary,” explains<\/span> Diana Kolettis, MD<\/span><\/a>, maternal fetal medicine specialist and associate program director of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program at Tufts Medical Center. “<\/span>We use it to treat a variety of conditions like asthma, autoimmune diseases, and other inflammatory conditions.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prednisone and pregnancy are typically a safe combination. In fact, prednisone is actually the preferred corticosteroid for use in pregnancy, according to Dr. Kolettis. That said, like other prescription drugs, there are always risks and benefits to using any medication, especially during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare providers will typically recommend prednisone when the risk of not treating a particular health condition will be more harmful to the pregnancy or the fetus than not treating it. “I always emphasize that poorly controlled maternal disease, whether it’s asthma, an autoimmune condition, or another inflammatory disorder, may be far riskier to the mother and the pregnancy than the medication itself,” says<\/span> Eran Bornstein, MD,<\/span><\/a> vice chair of OB-GYN at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of taking prednisone while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the reasons that prednisone is considered a safer corticosteroid during pregnancy is that<\/span> only small amounts of it cross the placenta.<\/span><\/a> “The placenta acts as a natural filter, breaking down much of the drug before it crosses over,” Dr. Kolettis says. “Because of this, the overall risk to the baby is low, especially at typical doses.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, other corticosteroids, like<\/span> dexamethasone<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> betamethasone<\/span><\/a>, tend to cross the placenta much more easily, according to Dr. Kolettis. “These are generally used for specific fetal indications rather than for long-term treatment of maternal conditions,” she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, although prednisone is the preferred corticosteroid during pregnancy, it is not entirely risk-free to either the mom or fetus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maternal risks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like all medications, there are some risks to pregnant mothers when taking prednisone. Risks include <\/span>the development of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, fluid retention, and mood changes. The risks are greater when taking high doses compared with low-dose treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThese are similar to the risks seen in nonpregnant patients but are particularly important to watch during pregnancy,” Dr. <\/span>Kolettis<\/span> says. Importantly, these risks can be mitigated by using the lowest dose steroid to help the maternal medical issue, for the shortest duration, and by closely monitoring the pregnant woman for side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fetal risks<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most commonly discussed risks to babies are<\/span> oral clefts (cleft lips and cleft palates), preterm birth, and low birth weight<\/span><\/a>. However, many providers believe this association is outdated, as recent research has not shown causation between maternal prednisone use and fetal cleft lips or palates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent studies<\/span><\/a> don’t show an increased risk of oral clefts in mothers taking corticosteroids like prednisone during pregnancy. “Newer studies and evidence are conflicting on the actual role and causation of prednisone and steroids being linked to this,” says Dylan Huber, Pharm.D., pharmacy clinical coordinator at<\/span> SAH Pharmacy inside Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The same is true of premature birth and low birth weight. “There is not much evidence of steroids contributing to these,” Dr. Huber says.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take instead of prednisone during pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Corticosteroids like prednisone aren’t the only option during pregnancy. Alternative medications depend on the medical condition you are being treated for, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

Asthma<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you have asthma, prednisone isn’t the only option. Safer alternatives are typically inhaled medications that do not systemically absorb, like oral prednisone. “Inhaled corticosteroids, like budesonide, are first-line and preferred because they act locally in the lungs with minimal systemic absorption,” Dr. Bornstein says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Budesonide<\/span><\/a> is typically used as a maintenance medication for asthma, meaning that it helps prevent asthma attacks from occurring in the first place.<\/span> Albuterol<\/span><\/a>, used for acute asthma exacerbations, is another safe option to consider, says Dr. Huber.<\/span><\/p>\n

Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are many<\/span> treatment options<\/span><\/a> for autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. “We often work closely with rheumatology or other specialists and may opt for steroid-sparing medications like<\/span> Plaquenil<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> azathioprine<\/span><\/a>, or, in some cases, certain biologic agents that have reassuring safety data in pregnancy,” Dr. Bornstein shares.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Dr. Huber, other alternative medications to consider include:<\/span><\/p>\n