In 1979, the FDA categorised the drugs used in pregnancy based on the safety profile and potential to harm the foetus. The categories are A,B,C,D and X.

Category A: Drugs that have strict controlled trials and have no risk to foetus. In this group are drugs that have an extremely small risk of harm to the foetus. No GERD drug is in this category.

Category B: Drugs found to be safe to animal foetus but no well controlled trials done on pregnant women. Or. Drugs that show harm to animal foetus but trials have not shown problems to human foetus.

Category C: Drugs with no human studies but animal studies show harm to foetus. Or. No animal or human data available.

Category D: Drugs that can possibly harm foetus based on trials and reports of adverse events.

Category X: These drugs are known to damage the foetus in both animals and humans.

Drugs in category X should never be used in pregnancy.

Category D should be used when the benefits outweigh the risk.

Dr. Phil Hariram.