Abstract
The recent removal of statin’s contraindication in pregnancy by the Food & Drug Administration opens the potential for exploring the use of this class of medications in pregnant women. Statins have shown potential in pregnancy not only as treatment for cardiovascular disease but also in its role in preventing preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a disorder that affects 2-8% of pregnancies in the US and is responsible for about 60,000 maternal deaths and more than 500,000 premature births worldwide. Despite preeclampsia’s relative prevalence, aspirin is still the only drug commonly used for prevention. Recent studies have found a lower risk of preeclampsia with the use of statin medications. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-coagulant effects are thought to improve placental and material health as well as counteract the negative effects of preeclampsia. While the safety of most statins in pregnancy is still unclear, pravastatin has been studied the most and appears to be relatively safe. The removal of the pregnancy contraindication indicates the importance of reevaluating old assumptions about drugs.
Recommended Citation
Schmitt, I. Safety and utility of statins in pregnancy. BUHealth. 2024; 2(1). https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/buhealth/vol2/iss1/13.
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