[TRANSLATED ARTICLE] Biological and immunosuppressive medications in pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility in immune mediated diseases

Objective: The objective of this review is to gather the available evidence on the different drugs used in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in pregnancy, lactation, their influence on female and male fertility, advice on discontinuation before conception and to help in routine clinical practice for better patient advice on family planning.

Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out, where published articles (review studies, observational studies and case series) in English or Spanish until April 2020 that analyzed the management of pregnancy, lactation and/or fertility in patients on treatment in immune-mediated diseases were selected.

Results: A total of 95 references were selected and the information on each drug was synthesized in tables. Drugs contraindicated in pregnancy are topical retinoids, pimecrolimus, cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, leflunomide, acitretin, and thiopurines. The lack of data advises against the use of apremilast, tofacitinib, baricitinib, anakinra, abatacept, tocilizumab and the new biologicals. Topical salicylates, paracetamol, ultraviolet therapy and hydroxychloroquine treatment are safe, and anti-TNF biological therapy are considered low risk, with certolizumab being the drug of choice throughout pregnancy and lactation. Most are compatible with paternal exposure except for sulfasalazine, mycophenolate and leflunomide, for which suspension of treatment prior to conception is recommended, and cyclosporine with dose requirements of less than 2 mg/kg/day.

Conclusions: In this context of chronic treatments with teratogenic potential, it is necessary to highlight the importance of pregnancy planning to select the safest drug. Given the quality of the available data, it is still necessary to continuously update the information, as well as to promote observational studies of cohorts of pregnant patients and men of childbearing age, including prospective studies, in order to generate more scientific evidence.

Comments：

This review aimed to gather evidence on drugs used for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases during pregnancy, lactation, and their effects on fertility, and to guide clinical practice for better patient advice on family planning.

Related Products

Cat.No.	Product Name	Information
S1247	Leflunomide	Leflunomide is a pyrimidine synthesis and protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor belonging to the DMARD, used as an immunosuppressant agent. The active metabolite of Leflunomide is A77 1726, which inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). Leflunomide is also an agonist of the AhR.

Related Targets

AhR Dehydrogenase