The following table shows FDA-approved psoriasis treatments and pregnancy categories.
| Generic name |
Brand name |
FDA category |
Comments |
| Acitretin |
Soriatane |
X |
Causes birth defects. Absolutely avoid. |
| Adalimumab |
Humira |
B |
Long-term animal studies showed no harm. No human studies conducted. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Alefacept |
Amevive |
B |
Long-term animal studies showed no harm. No human studies conducted. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Anthralin |
|
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Calcipotriene |
Dovonex |
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate |
Taclonex |
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Cyclosporine |
|
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Efalizumab |
Raptiva |
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Etanercept |
Enbrel |
B |
Long-term animal studies showed no harm. No human studies conducted. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Infliximab |
Remicade |
B |
Long-term animal studies showed no harm. No human studies conducted. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Methotrexate |
|
X |
Even small doses can cause defects in first trimester. Absolutely avoid. |
| PUVA |
|
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects, although PUVA affects DNA. Avoid unless necessary. |
| Tazarotene |
Tazorac |
X |
Risk of internal absorption. Absolutely avoid. |
| Topical steroids |
|
C |
No clear evidence of birth defects. Avoid unless necessary. |
| UVB |
|
– |
Safe during pregnancy. May cause skin discoloration. |
| Key to FDA categories |
| B |
Studies with animals have not found risk to the fetus but no studies have been done in humans. |
| C |
Safety is not substantiated by animal or human studies. |
| X |
Risk in pregnancy outweighs any benefits. |
