Can I Take Extavia When Pregnant?
Extavia® (
interferon beta-1b) is a prescription injection used to treat
multiple sclerosis (known commonly as
MS). The medication may not be safe for use during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest that Extavia may increase the risk of miscarriages.
Extavia and Pregnancy Category C
The U.
S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a 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 appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies.
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 doses of interferon beta-1b (the active ingredient in Extavia) caused miscarriages. However, Extavia did not appear to increase the risk of birth defects. In clinical trials with interferon beta-1b, four women experienced miscarriages. However, not enough information is available to suggest that there is truly a link between Extavia and miscarriages in humans.
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 using Extavia during pregnancy before making a recommendation in your particular situation.
