Celiprolol
What is it?
Celiprolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking celiprolol in pregnancy?
Celiprolol reduces the risks of harm from high blood pressure. Some women will already be taking celiprolol before pregnancy. If so, it should be continued but reviewed at the earliest opportunity by your midwife, GP, or specialist.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking celiprolol in pregnancy?
Celiprolol belongs to a family of medicines called beta blockers. Studies have also not shown that beta blockers cause birth defects, stillbirth or preterm birth. Women taking beta blockers may be more likely to have a small baby. However a small baby can be due to underlying health conditions that beta blockers are commonly used to treat, like high blood pressure. It is therefore difficult to know if a beta blocker has also contributed to the baby being small.
Occasionally, beta blockers used in late pregnancy can affect the baby for a short while after birth (for example, causing low blood sugar). The baby may require an extra day or two in hospital following birth to look out for any problems. If these occur, they can be easily treated and usually settle quickly.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking celiprolol?
Possibly. A different beta blocker (labetalol) is most commonly used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy. You should let your midwife, GP or specialist know that you are taking celiprolol so that it can be reviewed as soon as possible. If you have any questions about a medicine that you are offered in pregnancy you should discuss them with your doctor or midwife.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed for high blood pressure in pregnancy as it can develop into pre-eclampsia which can be serious for both mother and baby.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have.
Please do not stop taking celiprolol without speaking to your midwife, GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
You will be offered a detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of your routine antenatal care. If you take a beta blocker in pregnancy then you may be offered additional scans at around 32 and 36 weeks to check that your baby is growing normally.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken celiprolol?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes celiprolol.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.