Ask a Neurologist
07.01.2009 - Breast-feeding
- Question:
Dear Sir/Madam
In your website, I read the following re: breast-feeding:
Breast-feeding:
It is not known whether Interferon beta-1b is excreted in the breast milk. However, since serious side effects to Interferon beta-1b in breast-fed infants are theoretically possible, you must discuss the matter with your doctor and make a decision whether to stop breast-feeding or using Betaferon.I would like to know whether there are any studies being carried out or planned for the future (by Bayer-Schering or other bodies) to find out whether Interferon beta-1b is in fact excreted in breast milk?
Thanks for your attention and regards,
Donna- Reply:
-
Newborn infants should not be exposed to any medication they would not need for medical reasons, so it is very important to exclude that they receive a drug via breastfeeding. Therefore breastfeeding mothers should not take Betaferon - neither within a study - because there is the potential risk that the drug is excreted in the breast milk which might be harmful to the baby.
- Consultant:
- The MS-Gateway Consultation Team