What eczema medications should be avoided during pregnancy?

There are a whole host of factors that determine which medications patients suffering from eczema should or should not take therefore it is always important to consult a dermatologist. However for women sufferers of eczema who are expecting to be pregnant, pregnant or breast feeding it is important to know the following about medications most commonly prescribed to treat eczema:

• Antibiotics. Certain antibiotics may not be appropriate to use during pregnancy.
• Calcineurin inhibitors. Studies indicate that the ingestible form of tacrolimus shows up in mother’s breast milk so it should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. For both the topical form of tacrolimus and pimecrolimus the effects on the pregnancy, fetus or nursing child is unknown.
• Corticosteroids. It is advised that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding do not use topical nor systemic corticosteroids.
• Cyclosporine. Although results are inconclusive, initial studies show that while cyclosporine does not cause major birth defects; there are chances that it usage can lead to increased chances of a baby being born prematurely.
• Interferon gamma. Certain studies indicate that it can show up in breast milk a dermatologist should be consulted before using.
• Mycophenolate mofetil. There is evidence that mycophenolate mofetil can cause birth defects in animals. It is highly recommended that women do not become while using mycophenolate mofetil and for the six week period preceding and after stopping therapy with mycophenolate mofetil.