| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5826312 | Current Opinion in Pharmacology | 2013 | 6 Pages |
â¢The risk for congenital malformations from low-dose weekly methotrexate is low.â¢Mycophenolate mofetil increases both miscarriage and birth defects significantly.â¢Leflunomide does not appear to be a human teratogen when a washout is performed.â¢Azathioprine is not gonadotoxic in men.â¢Certolizumab does not increase adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Rheumatic diseases may be active during pregnancy necessitating drug treatment in order to control maternal disease activity and ensure a successful pregnancy outcome. The present literature survey of the last 2 years does not profoundly change the recommendations given in recent reviews: the teratogenic drugs cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and biologics without or with few pregnancy data must be withdrawn before a planned pregnancy. Leflunomide has up to date not shown to be a human teratogen. Drugs that can be used throughout pregnancy include corticosteroids, sulfasalazine, antimalarials, cyclosporine, tacrolimus and azathioprine. Among biological drugs extended pregnancy experience exists only for TNF-inhibitors. The effect of immunosuppressive drugs and biologics on male reproductive function is only partly known.
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