Natalizumab
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Natalizumab can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.
What is it?
Natalizumab (Tyruko®, Tysabri®) is an antibody therapy used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
Benefits
What are the benefits of using natalizumab in pregnancy?
Natalizumab reduces your MS symptoms by stopping the immune system from attacking your nerves.
Risks
What are the risks of using natalizumab in pregnancy?
The available information does not suggest that natalizumab use in pregnancy harms your baby but more data collection is needed to confirm that natalizumab is safe.
If you use natalizumab in later pregnancy it can potentially affect your baby’s immune system for up to six months after birth. Live vaccines should be avoided during this time. This means that your baby cannot be vaccinated against rotavirus (as this needs to be completed by four months). If your baby needs the live BCG vaccine (to protect against TB infection) your doctor will help you weigh up the benefits and possible risks to your baby.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to using natalizumab in pregnancy?
Yes. Other medicines can be used to treat MS during pregnancy, although for some women these may not work as well as natalizumab.
You may find that your symptoms improve during pregnancy; if so, your specialist may advise that your medicine(s) can be altered. However, please do not change your medication without speaking to your doctor.
If you are planning a pregnancy you should speak to your specialist to determine which medicine is best. This can be arranged through your GP or neurology clinic nurse.
If you become pregnant while taking natalizumab you should be reviewed by your doctor as soon as possible.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take natalizumab during pregnancy?
Your doctor will be happy to discuss any of your concerns. It is important that your MS is well-treated during pregnancy in order to avoid a flare-up of symptoms and to keep you healthy.
Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?
As part of routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s development. No further scans to check for birth defects will be required, although you may be offered extra growth scans.
Everyone who takes natalizumab receives regular monitoring for a condition called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which can be a side effect of treatment. This monitoring will continue during pregnancy as required.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has used natalizumab?
There is currently no evidence that natalizumab used by the father can harm the baby through effects on the sperm.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.