Table 2.

FDA pregnancy categories and inclusion of antipsoriasis drugs

Type and description	Antipsoriasis drugs
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters)
Category B	Systemic biologic drugs:
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women	• Adalimumab • Etanercept • Infliximab • Ustekinumab
Category C	Topical drugs:
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks	• Anthralin • Calcipotriene • Corticosteroids Psoralens (PUVA) Systemic drugs: • Cyclosporine • Corticosteroids
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks
Category X	Topical drugs:
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities, and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience; the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits	• Tazarotene Systemic drugs: • Acitretin • Methotrexate
Category N	Topical drugs:
FDA has not classified the drug	• Coal tar • Salicylic acid

Abbreviations: PUVA, psoralens and UVA; FDA, Food and Drug Administration.