Total Pageviews

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Is Enbrel Safe while Pregnant?

During the second trimester, I found that my flare ups were unmanageable and seriously considered going back on Enbrel.  Since Enbrel is a new biologic on the market, not enough studies have been done to consider it a safe drug to take during pregnancy.  It's classified as drug type C - "unknown".  

My rheumatologists recommended that I do not take Enbrel; for the very reason that there is not enough evidence to support Enbrel as a safe drug during pregnancy.  He suggested something more commonly used to cope during pregnancy; however with the drug he suggested, there is a slight chance of cleft palette deformity. No thanks! I didn't even register the name of that one in my memory. 

As I continued to research online, I came across an article by Otis:
http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/etanercept.pdf

I then spoke with a representative to ask in details the results of their studies done on pregnant women who have taken Enbrel.  The total sample of women at that time were 900, and none showed any deformities or harm to fetus due to Enbrel.  - 900 women within the entire United States is not a large sample at all, so I understand the caution medical professionals take when recommending Enbrel.

Some of you might be googleing Enbrel and Pregnancy as I did the same to read personal experiences from Moms who have taken Enbrel. I personally found that all of these mothers had healthy babies and none reported any problems accept for the feeling of "guilt".

After the June 15th incident (please see Coping with Flare Ups During Pregnancy- Spiritually), I decided to proceed with Enbrel. If anything were to happen to my child because of this decision, I seriously would not forgive myself, but something within me, assured me that it will ok. 

My doctor has been closely monitoring me and I've had 3 ultra sounds already and am due in 3 days now.
So far everything seems "normal".

Please stay tuned and I will keep you posted on how our new family is doing after birth. 

3, 2, 1....

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your pain with us, Jo. Glad things have improved for you with RA as your pregnancy progressed. Talk soon... Jacquie

    ReplyDelete
  2. For those reading this. My baby boy is now 6 months and absolutely healthy. (except for some ezema) - no colds / flus or anything abnormal.
    I've been also breastfeeding with Enbrel; however with the help of natural remedies to RA, I've cut down my dose to half. hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant and I'm having a flare. I've taking enbrel for several years. With my son they didn't want me to take it they put me on vicoden and he was very colicky not sure if related to painmed. Wanting to try enbrel with this pregnancy just so nervous but the more I read online it sounds like everyone that's done it babies have been fine. Did you take enbrel the whole time or did you take a break before you had baby because of breastfeeding I've read to come of enbrel two months before due date because of something with colostrum. Any advice would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sorry about the late reply. :) How is your baby? Yes I did take a break during the 1st trimester, then I ended up in the hospital and they couldn't give me anything for the pain. I went back on Enbrel then after. I do have an update from his examination done through Otis studies. Stay tuned!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so happy for reading this...it brings tears to my eyes. I too was advised to get off my Enbrel (I have lupus) but after 7 months of pain & agony and major transformation of my body. After so much pain and swelling I started researching also online hoping I could find something showing that women who took Enbrel could have baby's. After reading many blogs I MADE the decision to get back on Enbrel. I'm not 100% but getting there. My husband and I so very much want a baby, we hope in time I can get better and be successful in getting pregnant. It is a risk I do feel guilty and selfish but I know this is the right choice!
    Once I become pregnant I also plan on joining the Otis study so enough data can be completed to help other women.
    Thank you for sharing your experience it makes me feel more confident in my decision. Please let us know how your baby is.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Sabriana:) My baby Lucas is doing just fine. He's active and healthy. I'm on my second baby now and I've also decided to stay on Enbrel. As for feeling selfish, I think the best thing our child needs is a healthy mom that can love, care and nurture them. Do let me know how you are doing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a very
    easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
    Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?

    Exceptional work!
    Visit my blog ... arm skin

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can I just say what a comfort to uncover someone that actually knows what they are talking about over the internet.
    You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and
    make it important. A lot more people have to look at this and understand this side of the story.
    I was surprised you're not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
    Here is my webpage : http://asuntoturkista.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
    My web site - http://ontheqtease.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am 18 going on 19 and I have taken three pregnancy tests that all say positive. I have been on enbrel since I was 2 and am very concerned with taking it while pregnant because I do not want to harm the baby. I have read up on enbrel and pregnancy and one article said that you go into remission during pregnancy. Another article stated that a low dosage could be safe for the baby but to consult your doctor and another article said not to take it at all. I'm in so much pain, what do I do? All I want is what's best for the baby and me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congrats with the BABY! What a gift! For me, I took Enbrel on an as needed basis, so during both pregnancies I'd say about 4 injectiosn. Some women to experience remission during pregnancy, however for myself my RA was quite spontaneous. I had to take another dose 5 days before I went into labor because I started to flare. I think sleep, diet and stress play a vital role. Keep me posted on how you are doing.

      Delete
    2. Hi Im not pregnant at this time. My husband and I are thinking about trying for another child and we have Questions for your guys. did u inject in your stomach while pregnant, is that safe? Right now I started to inject in my stomach because i feel less burning as im getting the injection. And did anyone ever get really bad site reactions, mine are so sore, raised, red, and itchy. Benedyrl helps but i ahve to be on benedryl fordays after each injection before they start to fade. Taking so much benedryl while pregnant cant be safe. I might even have to switch to another drug but for now Im on enbrel and would like to know if anyone else has similar experiences. We will not be trying for another baby til i can deal with the SE better.

      Delete
    3. Hi Im not pregnant at this time. My husband and I are thinking about trying for another child and we have Questions for your guys. did u inject in your stomach while pregnant, is that safe? Right now I started to inject in my stomach because i feel less burning as im getting the injection. And did anyone ever get really bad site reactions, mine are so sore, raised, red, and itchy. Benedyrl helps but i ahve to be on benedryl fordays after each injection before they start to fade. Taking so much benedryl while pregnant cant be safe. I might even have to switch to another drug but for now Im on enbrel and would like to know if anyone else has similar experiences. We will not be trying for another baby til i can deal with the SE better.

      Delete
    4. Hi Im not pregnant at this time. My husband and I are thinking about trying for another child and we have Questions for your guys. did u inject in your stomach while pregnant, is that safe? Right now I started to inject in my stomach because i feel less burning as im getting the injection. And did anyone ever get really bad site reactions, mine are so sore, raised, red, and itchy. Benedyrl helps but i ahve to be on benedryl fordays after each injection before they start to fade. Taking so much benedryl while pregnant cant be safe. I might even have to switch to another drug but for now Im on enbrel and would like to know if anyone else has similar experiences. We will not be trying for another baby til i can deal with the SE better.

      Delete
    5. Can you inject enbrel in the stomach while pregnant?

      Delete
    6. Hi Beecreek

      During my pregnancy with Lucas, I injected enbrel in the stomach on an as needed basis. For my pregnancy with Erika (my second), I injected once in the thigh and it was very painful, but I thought the same, that I wanted to avoid the belly. There are risks which I would recommend discussing with your rheumatologists, such as infection. This is just my experience but both my kiddos are healthy and doing just fine. They need a healthy mom, so remember to take care of yourself too! :)

      Delete
  11. Hello, I've been reading your blog for quite some time. I can relate because I'm a new mom, I just gave birth to a lovely bouncing baby boy last June 4, 2013. I have RA since I was 19. I took up medications and I had a total hip surgery on my right hip bone. Yes, that was really an aggressive RA. I was just wondering, Is it safe to take MEDROL while breastfeeding? My rheumatologist said it's ok. But, I'm asking for second opinions. Thank you so much for reading this. Hope you can reply at my email ad: marahiyasmin.rivera@gmail.com (So sorry I don't have an account here on blogspot) thank you!

    ReplyDelete