An Update on the Use of Disease-Modifying Therapy in Pregnant Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The active management of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been made possible during the last two decades with the advent of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), leading to improved clinical outcomes for many patients. Furthermore, with the realization that MS does not adversely affect pregnancy outcome and that pregnancy does not have an overall negative impact on the long-term disease course of MS, the importance of appropriate counseling and discussion of future pregnancy plans with women of childbearing age is greater than ever. Although several DMTs are licensed for the treatment of MS, none are specifically approved for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding and the use of DMTs during these periods frequently gives rise to concerns regarding potential risks to the fetus. The outcomes of studies in patients with MS treated with DMTs during pregnancy and immediately postpartum have been the focus of several recently published papers. Given the high level of interest surrounding the prescribing of DMTs for MS patients of childbearing age, and the lack of clear guidance in this respect, the current review presents an up-to-date overview of new data, including observational data on real-world outcomes, that have been published during the last 2 years, and could inform future prescribing decisions.