Peginterferon alfa-2a Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Peginterferon alfa-2a is also known as: Pegasys
Peginterferon alfa-2a Pregnancy Warnings
The manufacturer states that peginterferon alfa-2a is recommended for use in women of childbearing potential only when they are using effective contraception during therapy.
Peginterferon alfa-2a has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. When used with ribavirin, the combination therapy has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Animal studies with nonpegylated interferon alfa-2a have revealed a statistically significant increase in abortions, but no teratogenic effects were reported in offspring delivered at term. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Peginterferon alfa-2a is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.
Peginterferon alfa-2a Breastfeeding Warnings
There are no data on the excretion of peginterferon alfa-2a into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions due to peginterferon alfa-2a in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
See Also...
- peginterferon alfa-2a Consumer Information
- Pregnancy Support Group
- FDA Pregnancy Categories
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
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