Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Anti-alpha4 integrin? Is Anti-alpha4 integrin safe for nursing mother and child? Does Anti-alpha4 integrin extracts into breast milk? Does Anti-alpha4 integrin has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Anti-alpha4 integrin influence milk supply or can Anti-alpha4 integrin decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Anti-alpha4 integrin lactation summary

Anti-alpha4 integrin usage has low risk in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Anti-alpha4 integrin is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Anti-alpha4 integrin may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research indicates that Anti-alpha4 integrin may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Anti-alpha4 integrin low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • While using Anti-alpha4 integrin We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Anti-alpha4 integrin usage in lactation

Recombinant humanized IgG4k monoclonal antibody that blocks the human integrin alpha-4 subunit making it difficult for T lymphocytes to pass through the meninges. Its use is approved in the treatment of severe forms of multiple sclerosis (EMA 2017) and in Crohn's disease when resistant to other treatments (Yarur 2013, FDA 2012). Its very high molecular weight explains the small or zero transfer into milk observed (Hainke 2015, Baker 2015). Of three mothers in whom the concentration of natalizumab in breast milk was measured, detectable levels only appeared in two. With these measurements, expert authors have calculated a relative dose for the infant of no concern, around 1.7% or, if the maximum peak is considered, 5.3%. But in addition, its low oral bioavailability would hinder its transfer into the infant's plasma via ingested breast milk because, due to its protein nature, it degrades in the gastrointestinal tract, and is not absorbed (Cree 2013), except in premature infants and the immediate neonatal period where there may be greater intestinal permeability. Despite the low excretion in breast milk and the lack of intestinal absorption by the infant, due to the long elimination half-life and the limitation of the number of available reports, opinions among experts are divided between those who do not recommend it (Mahadevan 2017), those who think that it is probably compatible (Almas 2016, Baker 2015, Briggs 2015) and those who have not expressed an opinion due to lack of sufficient studies (Hainke 2015, Damas 2015, Cree 2013, Houtchens 2013, Yarur 2013, Mahadevan 2011) , with experts being more in favor of discouraging it in Europe than in the USA (Alroughani 2016). Other monoclonal antibodies similar to natalizumab, such as adalimumab, infliximab and certolizumab, are considered low risk and probably compatible with breastfeeding (Damas 2015, van der Woude 2010). See below the information of these related products:
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.