Words to Know

• Level I, II, or III

  Level of evidence according to North American guidelines (with I and III being the highest and lowest quality of evidence, respectively)

• “A”, “B”, or “C” Rating

  Strength of recommendation according to North American guidelines (with “A” and “C” being the strongest and lowest strength of recommendation, respectively)

• Pregnancy Category B

  Animal studies suggest no fetal risks but studies in pregnant women are limited/unavailable OR animal studies suggest fetal risks but studies in pregnant women do not (Murase, Heller, & Butler, 2014).

• Category C

  Studies in pregnant women and animals are unavailable OR studies in pregnant women are unavailable but animal studies suggest fetal risks (Murase, Heller, & Butler, 2014).

• Category D

  Studies in pregnant women suggest fetal risks (Murase, Heller, & Butler, 2014).

• Category X

  Animal studies or studies in pregnant women suggest its contraindication (Murase, Heller, & Butler, 2014).

• Serious Side Effects

  When a side effect is listed as serious, we mean it may cause death, damage that cannot be reversed after you stop taking the treatment, or severe lifelong damage. It may also have been rarely reported by patients taking the treatment.

• Other Side Effects

  When a side effect is listed as other, we mean it is not serious. It may be inconvenient or uncomfortable, or may have been commonly reported by patients taking the treatment.