Is Nicotine Replacement Safe During Pregnancy?
According to smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1996, nicotine replacement (by way of the patch-for example, Nicoderm CQ; gum-Nicorette Gum; or an inhaler-Nicotrol Inhaler) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. The amount of nicotine delivered by the gum or patch is usually substantially less than what you would receive with continued smoking; however, nicotine decreases blood flow to the uterus and is potentially harmful to the developing fetus and placenta, regardless of the method of delivery. Nicotine gum has been labeled Pregnancy Category C by the Food and Drug Administration. This means that risk to the fetus cannot be ruled out. The nicotine patch has been labeled Pregnancy Category D, meaning that there is positive evidence of risk.
