What is the pregnancy category for oral contraceptives?

Oral contraceptives are classified under pregnancy category X. This categorization indicates that there is clear evidence of risk to the fetus based on human and animal studies, and the risks involved in using the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh any potential benefits. Consequently, oral contraceptives are contraindicated during pregnancy because they may lead to serious fetal harm or developmental issues.

The other categories generally represent different levels of risk. For instance, category B indicates no evidence of risk in humans, category C suggests that risk cannot be ruled out, and category D signifies positive evidence of human fetal risk but may have potential benefits in certain circumstances. In contrast, the category X designation firmly establishes oral contraceptives as unsuitable for use during pregnancy.