Journal of women's health
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Asthma and rhinitis frequently complicate pregnancy. The course of asthma may be adversely altered by gestation, placing the mother and fetus at risk. Therefore, pregnant patients with persistent asthma require an aggressive asthma management plan that includes environmental control measures and the use of long-term controller medications. ⋯ One ICS, budesonide, was reclassified as pregnancy category B based on human data supporting its use during pregnancy. In moderate and severe persistent asthma, add-on therapy may be considered, including long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and theophylline. Because rhinitis may adversely affect quality of life and the course of asthma, recommendations for aggressive management also apply.