8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
Hetastarch has been shown to have an embryocidal effect on New Zealand rabbits when given intravenously over the entire organogenesis period in a daily dose 1/2 times the maximum recommended therapeutic human dose (1500 mL) and on BD rats when given intraperitoneally, from the 16th to the 21st day of pregnancy, in a daily dose 2.3 times the maximum recommended therapeutic human dose. When hetastarch was administered to New Zealand rabbits, BD rats, and swiss mice with intravenous daily doses of 2 times, 1/3 times, and 1 times the maximum recommended therapeutic human dose respectively over several days during the period of gestation, no evidence of teratogenicity was evident.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. 6% Hetastarch in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.