Safety of azathioprine use during pregnancy

Can Fam Physician. 2011 Dec;57(12):1401-2.

Abstract

Question: Quite a few of my female patients with rheumatic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease are using azathioprine. They are afraid to take a "cancer drug" during pregnancy. What is known about the risks?

Answer: An increasing body of evidence from prospective cohort studies suggests that azathioprine is safe for the fetus during pregnancy.

Question Un bon nombre de mes patientes souffrant de maladies rhumatismales et de maladies inflammatoires de l’intestin prennent de l’azathioprine. Elles ont peur de prendre un médicament « anticancéreux » durant la grossesse. Que savons-nous de ses risques?

Réponse Un nombre croissant de données scientifiques tirées d’études prospectives de cohortes laissent entendre que l’azathioprine est sécuritaire pour le fœtus durant la grossesse.

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites / adverse effects*
  • Antimetabolites / therapeutic use
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects*
  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*

Substances

  • Antimetabolites
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Azathioprine