Omeprazole in Early Pregnancy: Not Teratogenic

The use of acid-suppressing drugs is prevalent, so first trimester exposure is not unusual. Although omeprazole (Prilosec) is the most commonly used such drug in the U.S., evidence of its safety in pregnancy is limited. This Swedish study compared the risk of birth defects in 282 women who reported omeprazole use in early pregnancy with that in about 200,000 babies born to all Swedish women from 1995 to early 1997.

The comparison controlled for year of birth, maternal age, parity, and maternal smoking in early pregnancy. Use of omeprazole in early pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of birth defects.