8.1 Pregnancy
Risk Summary
The preservative benzyl alcohol can cause serious adverse events and death when administgered intravenously to neonates and infants. If Phytonadione is needed during pregnancy, consider using a benzyl alcohol-free formulation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Published studies with the use of phytonadione during pregnancy have not reported a clear association with phytonadione and adverse developmental outcomes (see Data). There are maternal and fetal risks associated with vitamin K deficiency during pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations). Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with phytonadione.
The estimated background risk for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk
Pregnant women with vitamin K deficiency hypoprothrombinemia may be at an increased risk for bleeding diatheses during pregnancy and hemorrhagic events at delivery. Subclinical maternal vitamin K deficiency during pregnancy has been implicated in rare cases of fetal intracranial hemorrhage.
Data
Human Data
Phytonadione has been measured in cord blood of infants whose mothers were treated with phytonadione during pregnancy in concentrations lower than seen in maternal plasma. Administration of vitamin K1 to pregnant women shortly before delivery increased both maternal and cord blood concentrations. Published data do not report a clear association with phytonadione and adverse maternal or fetal outcomes when used during pregnancy. However, these studies cannot definitively establish the absence of any risk because of methodologic limitations including small sample size and lack of blinding.
Animal Data
In pregnant rats receiving vitamin K1 orally, fetal plasma and liver concentrations increased following administration, supporting placental transfer.
8.2 Lactation
Risk Summary
If available, preservative-free Phytonadione is recommended when Phytonadione is needed during lactation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
Phytonadione is present in breastmilk. There are not data on the effects of Phytonadione Injectable Emulsion, USP on the breastfed child or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the clinical need for Phytonadione Injectable Emulsion, USP and any potential adverse effects on the breasfed child from Phytonadione Injectable Emulsion, USP or from the underlying maternal condition.
Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the "gasping syndrome" occurred in premature neonates and infants in the intensive care unit who received drugs containing benzyl alcohol as a preservative. In these cases, benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 to 234 mg/kg/day produced high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites in the blood and urine (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 to 1.378 mmol/L). Additional adverse reactions included gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematologic aabnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Preterm, low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol.
When prescribing Phytonadione in infants consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including Phytonadione and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol. The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Whenever possible, use preservative-free phytonadione formulations in neonates. The preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in pediatric patients. Premature and low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop toxicity.