Guest guest Posted January 7, 2002 Report Share Posted January 7, 2002 Pam, From what I remember when I was on Arava I was advised not to try to become pregnant while on this drug. Matter of fact as I recall you shouldn't be taking any DMARD while trying to become pregnant, but please check with you RD. Tery - FL << Has anyone ever known someone to become pregnant while on Arava. Currently that is all im taking, besides folic acid, and anti depressants. Im just wondering what the procedure would be, and if it is safe while on these drugs. Its not a sure thing, just something i am concerned about. Thanks for all of the info Pam >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2002 Report Share Posted January 7, 2002 Tery, The problem is is that i am not trying, i have been on birth control for years, but accidents do happen. Thanks, Pam --- tpeppergirl@... wrote: > Pam, > From what I remember when I was on Arava I was > advised not to try to become > pregnant while on this drug. Matter of fact as I > recall you shouldn't be > taking any DMARD while trying to become pregnant, > but please check with you > RD. Tery - FL > > << Has anyone ever known someone to become pregnant > while > on Arava. Currently that is all im taking, besides > folic acid, and anti depressants. Im just > wondering > what the procedure would be, and if it is safe > while > on these drugs. Its not a sure thing, just > something > i am concerned about. > > Thanks for all of the info > Pam >> > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2002 Report Share Posted January 8, 2002 Pam, here's a little on Arava (leflunomide) and pregnancy: " Based on animal studies, leflunomide may cause teratogenic effects or fetal death if taken during pregnancy. Male-mediated fetal toxicity is also a possible risk. Pregnancy must be excluded prior to therapy, and men and women taking the drug should use a reliable form of contraception during therapy and for two years afterwards. The two-year time period can be reduced by using an elimination procedure. This procedure involves the use of cholestyramine or activated charcoal to enhance leflunomide excretion after the drug is discontinued (see product monograph for details). This method can be used in several situations: to manage serious toxicity; as a washout after discontinuing leflunomide, prior to starting another disease-modifying antirheumatic agent; and to reduce drug levels prior to attempting pregnancy. " Source: http://www.pharmacyconnects.com/content/phpractice/2000/06-00/0600drugnews.html [ ] RA AND PREGNANCY > Has anyone ever known someone to become pregnant while > on Arava. Currently that is all im taking, besides > folic acid, and anti depressants. Im just wondering > what the procedure would be, and if it is safe while > on these drugs. Its not a sure thing, just something > i am concerned about. > > Thanks for all of the info > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2002 Report Share Posted January 11, 2002 Pam, When my doc was discussing Arava with me he asked me point blank if I ever planned to get pregnant. It's very important that you don't while on Arava, or any DMARD as Tery said. Then you have to give it a grace period before trying. ~Rainy Re: [ ] RA AND PREGNANCY > Pam, > From what I remember when I was on Arava I was advised not to try to become > pregnant while on this drug. Matter of fact as I recall you shouldn't be > taking any DMARD while trying to become pregnant, but please check with you > RD. Tery - FL > > << Has anyone ever known someone to become pregnant while > on Arava. Currently that is all im taking, besides > folic acid, and anti depressants. Im just wondering > what the procedure would be, and if it is safe while > on these drugs. Its not a sure thing, just something > i am concerned about. > > Thanks for all of the info > Pam >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2002 Report Share Posted January 11, 2002 Hello Again Pam, Being on the medications that we are, we can't let accidents happen. And they can be prevented. I have been with the same man for 12 years and have been on various drugs for 20 years and I haven't gotten pregnant because I won't let myself. You should do whatever you can to NOT get pregnant. Any of these drugs can cause birth defects. ~Rainy Re: [ ] RA AND PREGNANCY > Tery, > > The problem is is that i am not trying, i have been on > birth control for years, but accidents do happen. > > Thanks, > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2002 Report Share Posted January 11, 2002 Thanks Rainy, I have been taking Birth control pill, i am just late on my period and im scared. I dont mean to be blunt, but its just stressing me out. I did take a preg. test and it was negative, but i never in my life am i late unless i was pregnant. Pam --- Rainy <rainysu@...> wrote: > Pam, > > When my doc was discussing Arava with me he asked me > point blank if I ever > planned to get pregnant. It's very important that > you don't while on Arava, > or any DMARD as Tery said. Then you have to give it > a grace period before > trying. > > ~Rainy > > Re: [ ] RA AND PREGNANCY > > > > Pam, > > From what I remember when I was on Arava I was > advised not to try to > become > > pregnant while on this drug. Matter of fact as I > recall you shouldn't be > > taking any DMARD while trying to become pregnant, > but please check with > you > > RD. Tery - FL > > > > << Has anyone ever known someone to become > pregnant while > > on Arava. Currently that is all im taking, besides > > folic acid, and anti depressants. Im just > wondering > > what the procedure would be, and if it is safe > while > > on these drugs. Its not a sure thing, just > something > > i am concerned about. > > > > Thanks for all of the info > > Pam >> > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2002 Report Share Posted January 12, 2002 Hi Pam, Oh, sweetie, don't be stressed. When your body is going through changes, being diagnosed with any disease, and when you are taking meds, it's normal for your body to react in some way, like your period being off kilter. Trust me, don't stress. I got my period the same year I was diagnosed with JRA and it comes anywhere between 18 and 31 days. And I've had both for 20 years now. {Hugs!} ~ Rainy Re: [ ] RA AND PREGNANCY > Thanks Rainy, > I have been taking Birth control pill, i am just late > on my period and im scared. I dont mean to be blunt, > but its just stressing me out. I did take a preg. > test and it was negative, but i never in my life am i > late unless i was pregnant. > > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2003 Report Share Posted September 23, 2003 Welcome to the group, Summer! Sorry that you have an RA diagnosis at such a young age. You're asking a very good question. You've also partially answered what you've asked - there isn't enough research to know if using TNF inhibitors during pregnancy is safe. In the latest issue of the Journal of Rheumatology, an editorial written by Drs. Wallace and Weisman entitled, " The Use of Etanercept and Other Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Blockers in Infertility: It's Time to Get Serious " touches on this topic: " Etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab very likely could have profound effects upon the immune system that might present special pregnancy concerns, such as susceptibility to specific infections or unwanted influences upon development of the fetal immune system. The possibilities of how cytokine manipulation may affect an unborn child and her mother have not been adequately explored. Rheumatologists who manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be in a unique position to take the cautious high road because of their comfort (or discomfort) level as they approach TNF-a blockers or even any other cytokine treatment. Further, it is important for all practitioners to be aware of the risks to vulnerable families in giving advice that is not based on solid studies or even good evidence. " http://www.jrheum.com/subscribers/03/09/1897.html [ ] RA and pregnancy > I am 26 years old and was diagnosed with RA over a year ago. I have > been taking Enbrel injections for about 9 months with great results. I > am curious about what other young women dealing with RA are doing when > it comes to pregnancy. Are they going off of their treatments? Any > advice? I know there is not enough research with Enbrel to know the > long term effects on a baby. I am not pregnant, but will be thinking > about it in the next year or so. Any information will be appreciated. > Thanks! -Summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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