{"id":629890,"date":"2024-09-24T17:19:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T21:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629890"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:43:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:43:42","slug":"rinvoq-and-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/rinvoq-and-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take Rinvoq while pregnant?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rinvoq<\/span><\/a> (upadacitinib) is a brand-name medication that’s <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> to treat rheumatoid arthritis, <\/span>atopic dermatitis<\/span><\/a>, active psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Although it’s an effective treatment for many inflammatory and immune system conditions, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind if you’re pregnant or considering becoming pregnant.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s take a closer look at Rinvoq and pregnancy, including how it affects the pregnant person and baby, whether you can take Rinvoq while breastfeeding, and what alternative options are available for you during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take Rinvoq while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You should not take Rinvoq while pregnant. “Rinvoq is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation,” says <\/span>Kecia Gaither, MD<\/span><\/a>, a double board-certified OB-GYN.<\/span> Sazan Sylejmani, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, shares Dr. Gaither’s point of view. “As a pharmacist with experience in rheumatology, I would not generally recommend Rinvoq during pregnancy,” he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main reason Rinvoq is not recommended during pregnancy is that there isn’t enough data on its safety in humans. When data is lacking on a particular medication during pregnancy, clinicians typically do not recommend it. However, there is enough data that we can gather from animal studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Embryo-fetal development studies carried out in rats and rabbits found that when Rinvoq is taken during pregnancy, it causes birth defects and fetal abnormalities. However, it should be noted that, in some cases, the amount of Rinvoq given to these animals was more than the comparable human dose. Nonetheless, these adverse effects were enough to prompt AbbVie, <\/span>the manufacturer of Rinvoq<\/span><\/a>, to advise pregnant women not to take it during pregnancy. Many women have unintended pregnancies or do not know that they are pregnant at first. Because of these two reasons, Rinvoq should not be given to sexually active women who are not using contraception. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of taking Rinvoq while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When taken by pregnant people, Rinvoq has the potential to directly and permanently impact an unborn baby. “Rinvoq is an immunosuppressant that can cross the placenta, posing risks to both the mother and fetus like serious infections,” Dr. Sylejmani says.<\/span><\/p>\n

In animal embryo-fetal development studies, Rinvoq exposure caused:<\/span><\/p>\n