Abstract
Women suffering from inflammatory arthritis may experience a change in disease activity during and after pregnancy. Although the majority will improve, some women may need to continue therapy throughout pregnancy and/or in the lactation period. Since certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have proven to be human teratogens, treatment is limited in these women. Anti-TNF agents fall within the US FDA category B concerning fetal risk, indicating that no adequate and well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant or lactating women. However, in the last decade, numerous case series and case reports of pregnancies exposed to anti-TNF therapy have accumulated in the literature. Since these agents may constitute an important therapeutic alternative in pregnant women facing persistent or increased disease activity, we propose a review of the available information on the safety of anti-TNF agents in pregnancy and lactation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 27-34 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Expert Review of Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- lactation
- etanercept
- pregnancy
- adalimumab
- anti-TNF therapy
- teratogenicity
- infliximab
- inflammatory arthritis