Pregnancy
Risk Summary
There are no adequate and well controlled studies with MIEBO in pregnant women.
In animal reproduction studies with oral administration of perfluorohexyloctane during the period of organogenesis, no adverse maternal or developmental effects were observed in rats at doses up to 162 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose (RHOD) ( see Data). Maternal toxicity, miscarriages and reduced fetal weights were observed in rabbits at all doses tested, with the lowest dose as 41 times the RHOD.
All pregnancies have a risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2 to 4%, and of miscarriage is 15 to 20%, of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Data
Animal Data
An embryofetal study was conducted in pregnant rabbits administered perfluorohexyloctane by oral gavage on gestation days 6 to 19, to target the period of organogenesis. Perfluorohexyloctane produced maternal toxicity, characterized by reduced body weight gain and food consumption, and miscarriages at all doses tested, with the lowest dose as ≥ 250 mg/kg/day (41 times the RHOD based on body surface area). Reduced fetal weights were also observed at ≥ 250 mg/kg/day but no fetal mortality or malformations. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity was not established in rabbits.
An embryofetal study was conducted in pregnant rats administered perfluorohexyloctane by oral gavage on gestation days 6 to 17, to target the period of organogenesis. There was no evidence of embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity at doses up to 2,000 mg/kg/day (162 times the RHOD).
Lactation
There are no data on the presence of perfluorohexyloctane in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. The lack of clinical data during lactation precludes a clear determination of the risk of MIEBO to an infant during lactation; however, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for MIEBO.