Anti arthritis drugs and breast feeding
Are anti–arthritis drugs safe during lactation?
* Sulphasalazine—sulphasalzine can be taken during nursing. However, a case of bloody diarrhea has been reported in a baby while the mother was on sulphasalazine.
* Methotrexate—Methotreaxte is not safe during lactation.
* Leflunomide—Leflunomide is not safe during lactation.
* Hydroxychloroquine—Hydroxychloroquine is found in the breast milk in very minor quantity. The baby may be exposed to about 2% of the maternal dose. Most experts therefore, continue hydroxychloroquine during nursing.
* Prednisone—may be taken in small doses.
* NSAIDs—may be used during nursing. However, they do have a small risk of causing jaundice in the newborn.
* TNF—alpha blockers (Remicade/ Enbrel): There is not much data regarding the safety of these agents during breast feeding. Hence, brest feeding should probable be avoided while on these drugs. Infliximab is a large protein molecule, making it unlikely to be present in significant amount in the breast milk. Additionally, it is not well absorbed from the gut. Thus it is unlikely to affect the breast fed child. However, no conclusive data is presently available in this regard.
* Methotrexate—Methotreaxte is not safe during lactation.
* Leflunomide—Leflunomide is not safe during lactation.
* Hydroxychloroquine—Hydroxychloroquine is found in the breast milk in very minor quantity. The baby may be exposed to about 2% of the maternal dose. Most experts therefore, continue hydroxychloroquine during nursing.
* Prednisone—may be taken in small doses.
* NSAIDs—may be used during nursing. However, they do have a small risk of causing jaundice in the newborn.
* TNF—alpha blockers (Remicade/ Enbrel): There is not much data regarding the safety of these agents during breast feeding. Hence, brest feeding should probable be avoided while on these drugs. Infliximab is a large protein molecule, making it unlikely to be present in significant amount in the breast milk. Additionally, it is not well absorbed from the gut. Thus it is unlikely to affect the breast fed child. However, no conclusive data is presently available in this regard.
Also Read:
Pregnancy with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Which of the anti–arthritis drugs are safe in pregnancy?
Do anti–arhritis drugs affect fertility?
Created on: April 2007
Last updated on: December 2009
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