Last update Aug. 22, 2022

Peginterferon beta-1a

Very Low Risk

Safe. Compatible. Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Peginterferon beta or pegylated interferon beta-1a is a conjugation of interferon beta with a 20,000 dalton methoxy-polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule, with the aim of increasing the half-life of interferon beta to delay its elimination from the body, in addition to improving certain properties of the drug. It has the same indications as interferon beta (treatment of relapsing Multiple Sclerosis). Subcutaneous administration.

It is excreted in breast milk in an undetectable or clinically insignificant amount. (Houtchens 2022)

Its null oral bioavailability minimizes the passage into plasma of the infant from ingested breast milk; due to its protein nature, it degrades in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed, except in preterm infants and immediate neonatal period (2 first weeks after birth), in which there may be greater intestinal absorption.

No side effects have been observed in nursing infants after maternal treatment for months or years with interferon beta (1a or 1b). (Ciplea 2020, Hellwig 2011, Rockhoff 2012, Hale 2012, Fragoso 2013)

According to the manufacturer, Peginterferon beta-1a can be used during breastfeeding. (EMA 2019)

Several scientific societies consider that interferon beta can probably be used safely during breastfeeding (Hale, LactMed, Thöne 2017, Briggs 2015, Mahadevan 2006, Bove 2014, Bodiguel 2014).


See below the information of these related products:

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Peginterferon beta-1a since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Peginterferon beta-1a is also known as


Peginterferon beta-1a in other languages or writings:

Group

Peginterferon beta-1a belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Peginterferon beta-1a in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 0 %
Molecular weight > 20.000 daltons
VD 6.9 (3.5 - 10.4) l/Kg
T½ 78 hours
Relative Dose 0.02 %

References

  1. Houtchens M, Mahlanza T, Ciplea AI, Manieri MC, Ramia NF, Zhao Y, England S, Avila R, Altincatal A, Vignos M, Hellwig K. Peginterferon beta-1a concentrations in breast milk of lactating multiple sclerosis patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Apr;60:103700. Consulted on Aug. 21, 2022 Abstract
  2. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on March 17, 2022 Full text (link to original source)
  3. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Internet. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ 2006 - Consulted on March 15, 2022 Full text (link to original source)
  4. Ciplea AI, Langer-Gould A, Stahl A, Thiel S, Queisser-Wahrendorf A, Gold R, Hellwig K. Safety of potential breast milk exposure to IFN-β or glatiramer acetate: One-year infant outcomes. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2020 May 20;7(4). pii: e757. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. EMA-Biogen. Peginterferón beta-1a Ficha técnica. 2019 Full text (in our servers)
  6. EMA-Biogen. Peginterferon beta-1a. Drug Summary. 2019 Full text (in our servers)
  7. Thöne J, Thiel S, Gold R, Hellwig K. Treatment of multiple sclerosis during pregnancy - safety considerations. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2017 May;16(5):523-534. Abstract
  8. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  9. Bodiguel E, Bensa C, Brassat D, Laplaud D, Le Page E, Ouallet JC, Zephir H, De Seze J; Groupe de Réflexion sur la Sclérose en Plaques.. Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2014 Abstract
  10. Bove R, Alwan S, Friedman JM, Hellwig K, Houtchens M, Koren G, Lu E, McElrath TF, Smyth P, Tremlett H, Sadovnick AD. Management of multiple sclerosis during pregnancy and the reproductive years: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Abstract
  11. Fragoso YD, Boggild M, Macias-Islas MA, Carra A, Schaerer KD, Aguayo A, de Almeida SM, Alvarenga MP, Alvarenga RM, Alves-Leon SV, Arruda WO, Brooks JB, Comini-Frota ER, Ferreira ML, Finkelsztejn A, Finkelsztejn JM, de Freitas LD, Gallina AS, da Gama PD, Georgetto S, Giacomo MC, Gomes S, et al. The effects of long-term exposure to disease-modifying drugs during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2013 Abstract
  12. Rockhoff M, Hellwig K. Family planning and interferon (beta)-1b - A case report of successful hormonal stimulation, pregnancy and breast-feeding under interferon (beta)-1b Aktuel Neurol Suppl.1:S49-S51. 2012
  13. Hale TW, Siddiqui AA, Baker TE. Transfer of interferon β-1a into human breastmilk. Breastfeed Med. 2012 Abstract
  14. Hellwig K, Gold R. Glatiramer acetate and interferon-beta throughout gestation and postpartum in women with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2011 Abstract
  15. Mahadevan U, Kane S. American gastroenterological association institute technical review on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy. Gastroenterology. 2006 Jul;131(1):283-311. Review. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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