Interferons for Multiple Sclerosis No Longer Labeled as Contraindicated During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the prescribing information for peginterferon ß-1a (PLEGRIDY, Biogen, Cambridge, MA) and interferon ß-1a (AVONEX, Biogen, Cambridge, MA) to include additional information on the use of these therapies during pregnancy and breastfeeding in women with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).
 
The majority of data from more than 1,000 real-world pregnancy outcomes, including a large epidemiologic study and published studies over several decades, have not found an association between the use of interferon ß products during early pregnancy and an increased risk of major birth defects. 
 
The labels for peginterferon ß-1a and interferon ß-1a, which can be accessed here and here, no longer contain the Pregnancy Category C classification. Individuals should continue to notify their healthcare provider if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
 
These updates follow the European Medicines Agency’s removal of pregnancy contraindications for peginterferon and interferon last year.