Nursing and taking meds for RA???

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if you can nurse (breastfeed) if you are taking

Methotrexate? It seems I remember someone on this list who has RA and

was able to nurse taking meds. Though, I have a memory of this person

maybe changing meds to something that wouldn't harm the baby.

Jean

[Guest guest]

jean-i do not believe you can breast feed annd nurse...you could always

check with yu pharmacist.....sherri

Stay strong and healthy

>From: " hookedonpopcorn " <hookedonpopcorn@...>

>Reply-Rheumatoid Arthritis

>Rheumatoid Arthritis

>Subject: Nursing and taking meds for RA???

>Date: Mon, 01 May 2006 04:52:15 -0000

>

>Does anyone know if you can nurse (breastfeed) if you are taking

>Methotrexate? It seems I remember someone on this list who has RA and

>was able to nurse taking meds. Though, I have a memory of this person

>maybe changing meds to something that wouldn't harm the baby.

>

>Jean

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[Guest guest]

Hi Before my rheumy died, we discussed the risks of a future pregnancy. He said I would have to be off of every med -- Sulfasazine, Remicade, Methotrexate, & large doses of Ibuprofen. The only ones I'll be able to take are Prednisone & Folic Acid. Also, because of the severity of my illness he said it was unlikely I would be able to breast feed b/c I would have to be put back on my meds immediately after giving birth to head off a flare. Take care, Steph in VA hookedonpopcorn <hookedonpopcorn@...> wrote: Does anyone know if you can nurse (breastfeed) if you are taking Methotrexate? It seems I remember someone on this list who has RA and was able to nurse taking meds. Though, I have a memory of this person

maybe changing meds to something that wouldn't harm the baby.Jean

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[Guest guest]

I'd be concerned with the prednisone since it can affect bones, teeth, skin. I'd talk with the obstetrician. Here's what I found online: Prednisone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether prednisone will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Prednisone passes into breast milk. Do not take prednisone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Helen P NW Ohio DeNicola <stephdenicola@...> wrote: Hi Before my rheumy died, we discussed the risks of a future pregnancy. He said I would have to be off of every med -- Sulfasazine, Remicade, Methotrexate, & large doses of Ibuprofen. The only ones I'll be able to take are Prednisone & Folic Acid. Also, because of the severity of my illness he said it was unlikely I would be able to breast feed b/c I would have to be put back on my meds immediately after giving birth to head off a flare. Take care, Steph in VA

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[Guest guest]

I listed below some definitions of Category A, B, and C and stopped there

because Category D and X do cause birth defects.

It is interesting to me that Humira, Enbrel and Remicade fall into the B

Category while the steroids that most Rheumatologists say are safe fall into

the C Category. I think it is important to do your own research and decide

what is right for you.

http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OperationalMedicine/DATA/

operationalmed/Meds/PregnancyCategories.htm

Category A " Controlled studies in women fail to demonstrate a risk to the fetus

in the first trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimester),

and

the possibility of fetal harm appears remote. " For all practical purposes, there

are no Category A drugs.

Category B " Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal

risk but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women or animal-

reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in

fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the first

trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters). " Category B

drugs include prenatal vitamins, acetaminophen and several other

medications used routinely and safely during pregnancy. If there is a clinical

need for a Category B drug, it is considered safe to use it.

Category C " Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the

fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies

in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should

be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the

fetus. "

Category C drugs have not been shown to be harmful to fetuses (if they had

been, they wouldn't be Category C drugs). However, there are some reasons

to be more concerned about these drugs than Category B drugs. If the

pregnant patient will benefit from a Category C drug, it is generally used,

although most obstetricians would prefer a Category B drug if it will give

equivalently good results.

 

Hi

> Before my rheumy died, we discussed the risks of a future pregnancy.

He said I would have to be off of every med -- Sulfasazine, Remicade,

Methotrexate, & large doses of Ibuprofen. The only ones I'll be able to take

are Prednisone & Folic Acid. Also, because of the severity of my illness he

said it was unlikely I would be able to breast feed b/c I would have to be put

back on my meds immediately after giving birth to head off a flare.

>

> Take care,

> Steph in VA

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

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