Recommendations for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in Family Planning, Pregnancy and Lactation in Switzerland: Immunotherapy

Abstract

A large number of disease-modifying immunotherapies are available for the treatment of people with multiple sclerosis. Many disease-modifying immunotherapies show scarce or no safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding and are labeled as being contraindicated during these periods in the Swiss summary of product characteristics. Some disease-modifying immunotherapies also have restrictions for male patients. Hence, family planning should always be considered in treatment decisions. If clinically necessary, the continuation of immunotherapy during pregnancy can be considered for some substances. In these situations, the “Good Off-Label Use Practice”, careful consideration of the benefit–risk profile, and interprofessional cooperation between the treating neurologist, obstetrician–gynecologist, and pharmacist/pharmacologist, ideally with the involvement of experienced centers, is necessary. Here, we present an update on disease-modifying immunotherapies in multiple sclerosis with a focus on family planning, pregnancy, and breastfeeding and provide consensus recommendations of the Medico-Scientific Advisory Board of the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Swiss Neurological Society, and the Swiss Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (represented by the Academy of Fetomaternal Medicine). These unified national recommendations are necessary, as guidelines from other countries differ and because of separate approval/reimbursement situations in Switzerland.

Keywords

• multiple sclerosis
• family planning
• immunotherapy and family planning
• immunotherapy and pregnancy
• immunotherapy and breastfeeding
• multiple sclerosis and pregnancy