Risk Summary

The available data on VTAMA cream use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of tapinarof to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in no significant adverse effects at doses 268 and 16 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) ( see Data). 

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of major birth defects, loss, and 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.

Data

Animal Data

In an embryofetal development study in rats, tapinarof was administered by subcutaneous injection to pregnant animals at doses of 1.2, 6.9 and 34 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. Tapinarof was not associated with embryofetal lethality or fetal malformations. Tapinarof increased the incidence of skeletal variations (incomplete ossification of nasal bones) at the dose of 34 mg/kg/day (268 times the MRHD based on AUC comparisons).

In an embryofetal development study in rabbits, tapinarof was administered by subcutaneous injection to pregnant animals twice daily at doses of 0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. Maternal toxicity as evidenced by decreased maternal body weight gain and associated increased post-implantation loss (embryolethality) was observed at 3 mg/kg/day. In addition, fetal skeletal variations were observed at 3 mg/kg/day. Tapinarof was not associated with embryofetal lethality or fetal malformations at doses up to 1 mg/kg/day (16 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison) or fetal malformations at doses up to 3 mg/kg/day (30 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison).

In a second embryofetal development study in rabbits, tapinarof was administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion to pregnant animals at doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. Tapinarof was not associated with embryofetal lethality or fetal malformations at doses up to 3 mg/kg/day (20 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison).

In a prenatal and postnatal development study, tapinarof was administered by subcutaneous injection to pregnant rats at doses of 1, 6 and 30 mg/kg/day beginning on gestation day 6 through lactation day 20. Maternal toxicity associated with decreases in body weight gain and food consumption was noted at 30 mg/kg/day (268 times the MRHD based on AUC comparisons). Tapinarof decreased fetal survival and viability that resulted in reduced litter sizes and decreased fetal weights at doses greater than or equal to 6 mg/kg/day (45 times the MRHD based on AUC comparisons). No tapinarof-related effects on fetal survival and viability were noted at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day (6 times the MRHD based on AUC comparisons). No tapinarof-related effects on postnatal development, neurobehavioral or reproductive performance of offspring were noted at doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (268 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison).