Is Betaseron Safe During Pregnancy?
Betaseron® (
interferon beta-1b) is a prescription injection used to treat
multiple sclerosis (known commonly as
MS). It may not be safe for use during pregnancy. Animal studies of Betaseron suggest that the medication may increase the risk of miscarriages.
Betaseron and Pregnancy Category C
The U.
S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a pregnancy Category C rating.
When given to pregnant monkeys, high Betaseron levels caused miscarriages. However, Betaseron did not appear to increase the risk of birth defects. The drug has not been adequately studied in pregnant women. It is important to note that animals do not always respond to medicines the same way that humans do. Therefore, a pregnancy Category C medicine may be given to a pregnant woman if a healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the pregnant woman outweigh any possible risks to the unborn child.
If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, let your healthcare provider know. He or she will consider both the benefits and risks of Betaseron during pregnancy before making a recommendation for your particular situation.
