---------- From: Nice, Frank Sent: Thursday, February 19, 1998 9:12 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Avonex RE: Avonex Avonex is Interferon beta-1a. The manufacturer states "it is not known whether Interferon beta-1a is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential of serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to either discontinue nursing or to discontinue Avonex. Now, with that out of the way, I refer you to a Lactnet posting by Tom Hale on December 2, 1998 where he states that he assayed alpha interferon levels in milk and found that a dose 30 million units resulted in none being transferred into milk. Iterferon is a rather large molecule and almost instantly removed from the plasma by the liver, kidney, and other tissues. He stated, "Interferon use in breastfeeding moms should not be problematic." Frank J. Nice, DPA, CPHP