British Society for Rheumatology guideline on prescribing drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding: immunomodulatory anti-rheumatic drugs and corticosteroids (2 November 2022)

Summary

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of pregnant women taking biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). The continuing expansion of existing and novel DMARDs means that uncertainty remains around the safety of many of these drugs in pregnancy. This updated guideline by the British Society for Rheumatology aims to provide advice for healthcare professionals and patients to enable more confident prescribing in pregnant women or those trying to conceive. It highlights any medications that should be stopped or avoided in the reproductive age group unless highly effective contraception is used.