Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders (Nov 2018)

Evaluation of pregnancy outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis after fingolimod exposure

  • Yvonne Geissbühler,
  • Jere Vile,
  • Gideon Koren,
  • Morgane Guennec,
  • Helmut Butzkueven,
  • Hugh Tilson,
  • Thomas M. MacDonald,
  • Kerstin Hellwig

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/1756286418804760
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Background and Methods: Limited data are available on the safety of fingolimod in pregnant women. We estimated the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) exposed to fingolimod either shortly before or during pregnancy in prospectively collected cases from clinical trials, observational studies, surveillance programs, and spontaneous reports. Results: The prevalence of major malformations among live births does not appear to be significantly higher than those in the general population and the unexposed MS population. Similarly, the prevalence of cardiac malformations observed in this analysis was not significantly different from that of the general population. Proportions of miscarriage were in line with those of the general and unexposed MS population and no specific pattern of birth defects was identified. Conclusions: These data can help inform healthcare professionals and women with MS exposed to fingolimod during conception.