(my apologies for being late on this thread)

Dear Judy,

Jack Newman and Tom Hale have already answered your question about Avonex
but I have a couple of additional thoughts.  I began Avonex therapy for MS
recently;  I fortunately do not have to address the question of whether it
is okay to nurse while on it....  but because I've read *all* the
manufacturer's literature, I've combined personal with professional interest
to think about this question.

You should be forewarned that if this mom's neurologist checks with the
manufacturer, s/he will find that they state it should not be taken by
nursing mothers.  I presume that it is the usual "CYA" response - since they
don't *know* if it could affect the nursing baby, the "safe" recommendation
is not to nurse.

It's pretty clear that Avonex couldn't possibly pass through the mother's
milk.  What I've been wondering is if Avonex could affect the lactating
breast's role in the symbiotic immune system of mother and baby.  The
purpose of Avonex is to "modulate" the mother's immune system so that
auto-immune attacks of MS are decreased in frequency and severity - would
that alteration in how the mother's immune system works affect the kind of
immunological benefits she is passing to her baby through her milk?  I don't
know my immunology well enough to have any idea, but it's an interesting
question.  Certainly I can't imagine how any such effect would be *harmful*
to the baby.

Biogen (makers of Avonex) publishes a patient newsletter and this month's
issue addresses childbearing.  It gives an example of a woman who nursed for
six months and then resumed Avonex therapy; the manufacturer states in a
couple of places that it should not be taken while nursing.

My hope is that this mom's doctor doesn't see those recommendations and
gives her support for breastfeeding!

--- posting for myself, not my employer ---

Mary Renard in Vienna Virginia  USA
Mary Riley Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
CERP/Recertification Coordinator
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
P O Box 2348
Falls Church VA  22042-0348  USA
Tele 703-560-7330
Fax  703-560-7332
email <[log in to unmask]>