HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

UC and pregnancy

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/28/2013 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm new on here so I'm sure this has been a topic before but I'm curious about finding out about UC and pregnancy. I was diagnosed with UC about a year ago. (6 months after having my first child) I have been on medication for it ever since. Things seem to be going good but I'm wanting to get off of the mercaptopurine that I'm taking in hopes of getting pregnant and adding to my family again. My GI dr says I need to be off the mercaptopurine for at least 3 months before trying to get pregnant. I'm really nervous that I won't make it that long without a flare. Any other moms out there that can give any suggestions on UC and getting pregnant or how your UC was during pregnancy? Are there any UC drugs that are safe during pregnancy?
Posted 8/28/2013 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Others will come on who are more knowledgeable but as far as I know you can take 6mp, get pregnant, and have a baby. There should be very little risk. It would be a very huge UC risk to stop 6mp for even a short length of time. You don't want to be in a lifelong flare and have to take care of a baby.
Posted 8/28/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I decided to come off aza (same thing as 6mp) for both pregnancies because the evidence seemed rather equivocal. Search for recent cohrane reviews on it.

First time round I got lucky and survived. This time not so good and have ended up on pred at the critical 8+ week time period when it has been shown to cause birth defects.

If I could turn the clock back I'd stay on the immunosuppressants. It is a big call to assume you'll do well without them.
Posted 8/28/2013 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
There may be some helpful information here: http://www.infantrisk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?52-Pregnancy-with-Crohn-s-IBD-(Inflammatory-Bowel-Disease)
Posted 8/28/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Cimzia is a biologic (like Remicade and Humira) that has been studied extensively in pregnancy and nursing and is considered extremely safe. Instead of coming off of 6-MP and going on to... nothing... you might want to try switching to Cimzia.
Posted 8/29/2013 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I thought 6MP was safe? bettylou: what cochrance reviews are you referring to?
Posted 8/29/2013 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
6MP appears to not be safe (according to the info at infantrisk.org).
Posted 8/29/2013 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
6MP is a category D drug, but it's my understanding that most of the problems occurred in women who were taking much higher doses than what UC patients do.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ibd.20532/pdf

The article above discusses the different meds used to treat IBD.

Personally, I'd probably stay on it if I were you and would talk to a high-risk OBGYN before making any decisions. If you do decide to go off of it, I'd switch to a mesalmine drug (both oral and rectal!!!!) and see if you can maintain remission that way.
Posted 8/30/2013 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the information. I will check into these other options.
Posted 9/12/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
I came off 6MP years ago and am now only on Lialda and also trying about getting pregnant now. Lialda is completely safe for pregnancy and has kept me from flaring better than 6MP ever did. I know everyone is very different, but I just wanted to share!
Posted 9/13/2013 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for that information. I have now been off 6MP for almost 2 weeks and seem to be doing fine. I'm still taking asacol but I will have to ask my dr about Lialda.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply