Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Rheumatology medicines and pregnancy

Discuss plans for children and pregnancy early with your rheumatologist and maternity team. Not all rheumatology medicines are unsafe, but some can cause serious harm. Uncontrolled disease and suddenly stopping everything are also risky; do not make changes on your own.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

Discuss plans for children and pregnancy early with your rheumatologist and maternity team. Not all rheumatology medicines are unsafe, but some can cause serious harm. Uncontrolled disease and suddenly stopping everything are also risky; do not make changes on your own.

  • Increased joint swelling, pain, morning stiffness, skin or organ symptoms may indicate a flare-up.
  • Fever, coughing, pain when urinating or a wound may indicate infection during immune suppression.
  • Mention plans for children as early as possible and use reliable contraception for as long as a harmful medicine requires it.
  • Do not stop or reschedule prescribed treatment on your own, even after a positive pregnancy test.
  • Call the same day for an unexpected pregnancy while taking a potentially harmful rheumatology medicine, preferably before the next dose.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
M
Medicines that calm you or make you sleepyVarious medicines can make you calm, drowsy or slower to react. This may be intended, but also increases the risk of falls, accidents and breathing problems, especially with combinations; do not stop suddenly without advice.
P
PregnancyDuring pregnancy, your body changes and a baby grows in the uterus. Register early with a maternity team for check-ups, discuss all medicines, take folic acid, avoid alcohol and drugs, and seek immediate help for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, breathlessness, a seizure or reduced consciousness.
4
41 weeks pregnantAt 41 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is not automatically in danger, but some risks increase gradually. Discuss monitoring and the offer of induction with your maternity team without delay. Call immediately for reduced movements, bleeding, green or brown amniotic fluid or broken waters.