THIS MEDICATION IS UNLIKELY TO CAUSE HARM TO YOUR BABY:
Mentax should only be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh risks to the developing baby. There have been no human studies that have looked at the safety of Mentax during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but animal studies indicate that using Mentax during pregnancy is not expected to be harmful to the developing baby.
What is Mentax?
Mentax is a medication that is used to treat fungal infections. It is currently available as a generic and brand name medication. The active ingredient in Mentax is butenafine. Mentax is the prescription form of butenafine and is available as a cream. Lotrimin Ultra™ is the over-the-counter form of butenafine and is also available as a cream. Mentax is applied to the affected skin once or twice daily for 2-4 weeks.
What is Mentax used to treat?
Mentax is used to treat tinea versicolor (a fungal infection of skin that causes skin discoloration) in children over 12 years old, adolescents, and adults. Lotrimin Ultra™ is over-the-counter and is used to treat Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Tinea versicolor is a recurrent skin infection caused by a type of fungus that normally lives on the skin. In select individuals, the fungus can cause hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation – darkening or lightening of the skin. The discolored skin can also be itchy and scaly.
How does Mentax work?
Mentax works by inhibiting an enzyme that is essential for development of the outer fungal membrane, interfering with fungal reproduction and causing fungal death.
If I am using Mentax, can it harm my baby?
There have been no human studies or case reports that have looked at the safety of this medication in pregnancy. Animal studies show that using Mentax during pregnancy poses a low risk of harm for your baby. Butenafine is not considered a first-line medication to treat fungal infections in pregnant women. Clotrimazole is considered a first-line or preferred treatment for fungal infections in pregnant women.
Evidince from animal studies with Mentax:
Rats receiving daily injected doses of butenafine during pregnancy of 0.5 times the recommended maximum human dose did not have offspring with birth defects. When given to pregnant rats in oral doses 2.5 times the maximum recommended human dose or pregnant rabbits in doses 16 times the recommended maximum human doses, butenafine caused no harm in offspring.
Evidence for the risks of Mentax in human babies:
Topical butenafine or Mentax is not expected to be widely absorbed into the body after application to the skin. Mentax may be used during pregnancy if clinically required.
Bottom line: There have been no human studies or case reports that have looked at the safety of this medication in pregnancy. Mentax can be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. This medication is expected to pose a low risk of harm to the baby if required during pregnancy.
If I am using Mentax and become pregnant, what should I do?
If you are using Mentax and become pregnant, you should contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will determine if your medication is medically necessary, or if it should be discontinued until after the birth of your baby.
If I am using Mentax, can I safely breastfeed my baby?
There are no reports evaluating the safety of Mnetax in women who are nursing infants. It is unknown if Mentax passes into breast milk. Mentax applied topically is only expected to be minimally absorbed into the body. Mentax is expected to pose a low risk of harm to the nursing infant. Topical application of Mentax should avoid the breast area and nipples to minimize exposure of this medication to nursing infants. Be sure to wash your hands carefully after applying this medication and before handling your baby. Because there is limited safety information on this medication in women who are breastfeeding, the manufacturer recommends using caution if administering Mentax.
Bottom line: There is limited safety information on use of Mentax while breastfeeding. Mentax should only be used while breastfeeding a baby if potential benefits outweigh risks of use.
If I am using Mentax will it be more difficult to get pregnant?
There have been no studies in men or women that have looked at the effects of Mentax on fertility. Animal studies have reported no negative effects on fertility.
If I am using Mentax, what should I know?
There have been no human studies or case reports that have looked at the safety of this medication in pregnancy. Mentax is expected to pose a low risk of harm to the baby if required during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to low absorption into the body.
If I am taking any medication, what should I know?
This report provides a summary of available information about the use of Mentax during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Content is from the product label unless otherwise indicated.
You may find Pregistry's expert reports about infections and the individual medications used to treat infections here. Additional information can also be found in the resources below.
For more information about Mentax during and after pregnancy, contact http://www.womenshealth.gov/ (800-994-9662 [TDD: 888-220-5446]) or check the following links.
Novartis: Mentax prescribing information
American Academy of Dermatology: Tinea versicolor
General information
It is very common for women to worry about having a miscarriage or giving birth to a child with a birth defect while they are pregnant. Many decisions that women make about their health during pregnancy are made with these concerns in mind.
For many women these concerns are very real. As many as 1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These rates are considered the background population risk, which means they do not take into consideration anything about the health of the mom, the medications she is taking, or the family history of the mom or the baby’s dad. A number of different things can increase these risks, including taking certain medications during pregnancy.
It is known that most medications, including over-the-counter medications, taken during pregnancy do get passed on to the baby. Fortunately, most medicines are not harmful to the baby and can be safely taken during pregnancy. But there are some that are known to be harmful to a baby’s normal development and growth, especially when they are taken during certain times of the pregnancy. Because of this, it is important to talk with your doctor or midwife about any medications you are taking, ideally before you even try to get pregnant.
If a doctor other than the one caring for your pregnancy recommends that you start a new medicine while you are pregnant, it is important that you let them know you are pregnant.
If you do need to take a new medication while pregnant, it is important to discuss the possible risks the medicine may pose on your pregnancy with your doctor or midwife. They can help you understand the benefits and the risks of taking the medicine.
Ultimately, the decision to start, stop, or change medications during pregnancy is up to you to make, along with input from your doctor or midwife. If you do take medications during pregnancy, be sure to keep track of all the medications you are taking.