Remicade

[Marion Lamb]

I am an IBCLC working with a woman, pregnant with 25 week twins. She has Crohn?s Disease and has been receiving Remicade IV infusions every 8 weeks. She is concerned about continuing the Remicade therapy after delivery during breastfeeding. Are there contraindications to Remicade use and breastfeeding? Especially if babies are born preterm? What about during the colostral phase? Thank you.
Warmly,
Lou Lamb

[admin]

Marion:

The vast majority of IgG (including Remicade-infliximab) is transferred to the fetus in the last trimester. The amount transferred during breastfeeding is minimal at most. We have a number of studies with this drug and the RID is 0.3% - 0.7% transferred into milk. Virtually none of this is absorbed orally by the infant.

My advice is to go ahead and breastfeed for sure, including during the colostral phase.

Tom Hale Ph.D.