类风湿关节炎Medications and Pregnancy
Can rheumatoid arthritis medications harm a growing fetus when you're pregnant? Find out which RA medications are safe.
无论你有rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or not, it’s important to protect your growing fetus from substances that can negatively affect its development. This is why孕妇一般避免for instance, salami, raw eggs, and cleaning their cat’s litter box. But what about RA medications?
保护你的健康
It’s commonly believed that if you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t take any medication at all because it may hurt the baby. But when you have RA, it may actually be better for both you and your baby to control your RA with medication. In fact, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommends that as long as the medications you take for your RA are not harmful to the fetus, you should理想情况下，保留在他们身上，以确保您的状况受到控制。
Suppressing your RA while you’re pregnant continues to protect your body from the effects of RA, but may also protect your baby from the RA. Active RA can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes, such aslow birth weight and premature birth。
In the past,类固醇被认为是怀孕期间唯一安全的药物，但新的研究表明这不再是这种情况。除了某些RA MEDS（下面提到）外，现在有更多的选择来管理在怀孕期间的情况。
生物学are the latest addition to the collection of RA medications, having been on the market since approximately the year 2000. Initially, it was thought that pregnant women should avoid taking these medications, but more recent research indicates that continuing the anti-TNF biologics, such as Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade, will not just improve the mother’s health, but possibly also that of the baby. A Canadian study found thatpremature births were similar to that of the general population, low birth weight comparison showed no statistically significant outcomes and Apgar scores were actually slightly higher in babies whose mothers were on anti-TNF medication during pregnancy.
Although these types of medications are generally considered safe during pregnancy, some doctors feel that it’s best to在第三个三个月停止他们to reduce immunosuppressant effects on the baby. However, new research seems to indicate that babies exposed to immunosuppressants in utero do not appear to have an increased risk of infections.
Protecting the Baby
某些类风湿性关节炎药物也应该be avoided both during conception and the pregnancy itself.
Two RA medications are dangerous to a developing fetus: methotrexate and leflunomide (brand name Arava). Both of these medications can cause severe birth defects and it’s important to not get pregnant while taking these drugs. Doctors usually recommend that womenstop taking methotrexate three months before trying to conceive, in order for the drugs to no longer be present in your body. Due to itseffect on sperm cells, men, too, should stop taking this medication three months before trying for a baby.
leflunomide保持在您的身体上长度长达两年。如果您正在服用这种药物并想要怀孕，建议您完成冲刷方案以确保药物完全从您的身体中完全脱离。它对胎儿有毒，也建议使用它men complete the washout regimenprior to the couple conceiving.
If you are sexually active and taking these medications, it is essential that you practice safe sex rigorously. It’s often recommended to “double up” on birth control, for instance, taking both the pill and using a condom or using both a diaphragm and a condom. Should you get pregnant while on these drugs, contact your doctor immediately.
What Should You Do?
Planning your pregnancy is a very good idea when you have RA. It is recommended that your RA has been well-controlled for three to six monthsbefore you try to conceive。同样，如果您在可能损坏胎儿的药物上，则计划前进至关重要。所以涉及你的风湿病学家。
Even if you are not thinking of having a family now or in the near future, start having the discussion so your doctor can help you be in the best health possible, which may or may not include taking medication during pregnancy. Planning ahead will help make your experience of pregnancy and becoming a parent the best it can be.
