This sheet is about rheumatoid arthritis in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the joints, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system doesn’t work the way it should, causing inflammation (swelling). Symptoms can include swelling, …
The Baby Blog: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Prednisone | Prednisolone
This sheet is about exposure to oral prednisone or prednisolone in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What are prednisone and prednisolone? Prednisone and prednisolone belong to a group of medications called corticosteroids. In the body, prednisone is broken down into prednisolone. Prednisone and prednisolone are used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, autoimmune diseases and skin …
Abatacept (Orencia®)
This sheet is about exposure to abatacept in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is abatacept? Abatacept is a prescription medication that has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA; https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/rheumatoid-arthritis/), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA; …
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®)
This sheet is about exposure to hydroxychloroquine in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is hydroxychloroquine? Hydroxychloroquine is a medication that has been approved for use to prevent and treat malaria and to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It has also been used to treat COVID-19, Q fever, and Sjögren's syndrome. Hydroxychloroquine is sold under …
Leflunomide (Arava®)
This sheet is about exposure to leflunomide in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. What is leflunomide? Leflunomide is a medication used to treat the autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Classed as a DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) it can reduce arthritis symptoms like joint swelling and can slow down joint damage. Leflunomide is available as a generic drug or sold under …
