Can I take medication for multiple sclerosis (MS) when I'm pregnant?

Generally, there are two categories of medication used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). There are those that are used to treat symptoms, such as bladder infections. These medications are often safe to continue during pregnancy, but always check with your doctor first. Then there are the immunomodulating agents that actually reduce disease activity. These include Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif, commonly called the ABCR drugs, Tysabri and Novatrone. The safety of these drugs during pregnancy, as well as their effect on the unborn baby, has yet to be determined.

In animal models of pregnancy, the interferon beta products (Avonex, Betaseron and Rebif) sometimes cause abortions. There is no data that glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) causes any problems in animal models of pregnancy. To date, none of these drugs have been associated with damage to the unborn human child. The same holds true for Tysabri and Novantrone. This is because there are no definitive studies. Consequently, experts do not recommend treatment in pregnant women. As soon as you begin trying to conceive, talk with your doctor about your medications. Unless you plan to breastfeed your baby, you may, with your doctor's consent, resume your medication immediately after delivery.