Elizabeth, this question has come up a few times in the past year - you can
check the archives.  I believe it is in the latest Hale and he does not see
any reason to restrict breastfeeding.

Note that the manufacturer states that nursing mothers should not take
Avonex (interferon beta-1a), based on no studies, of course.  And there is
considerable pressure for people with MS to get onto one of the "ABC"
(Avonex, Betaseron, or Copaxone) drugs now, so the dilemma for mothers and
the prescribing physicians is a tough one.

The quick answer is that of course there's no problem because Avonex (and
Betaseron) are given via injection; obviously these are very large protein
molecules, too big to pass through the milk, and they would be digested in
the baby's gut if by some miracle they did go through.  BUT - I have an
immunology question that bugs me here.

We know that the lactating breast is an important part of the immunity
"co-system" between mother and baby.  IS IT POSSIBLE that interferons could
alter the workings of the breast as an immune system organ?  I would sure
like to know more about this!  I know that breastfeeding would still be best
for baby and mother, don't get me wrong here - but the pat, "We know it
can't get through the milk" answer has bugged me a lot - we should recognize
and acknowledge that there's more to it than that.  I am personally not
satisfied with "it doesn't go through the milk," I want to know, "Could it
affect the immunological properties of the milk in any way?"

Of course, a problem with finding answers to these questions is that they
don't really know exactly how Avonex or Betaseron work, or exactly *what*
they do to the immune system...

I am determined to figure out this puzzle, somehow or another!  (*after* my
classes are over in four weeks)

It's great to be back on Lactnet after these last few months of hard studying!

Mary Renard
various pertinent credentials:
RN, BSN, IBCLC
current pre-med student
MCAT veteran as of 4/17/99, yay!
Avonex "user"

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