PHARMACOKINETICS OF INTERFERON-ALPHA IN PREGNANT-WOMEN AND FETOPLACENTAL PASSAGE

Interferon (IFN) therapy is currently not approved for use during preg nancy. Two HIV-seropositive pregnant women, who were due to undergo ab ortion in the second trimester of pregnancy, were given a single intra muscular dose ofIFN-alpha, with their informed consent. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the mothers and fetuses, together with amniotic fluid. IFN was undetectable in the fetal blood and amniotic f luid in both cases. Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those i n nonpregnant women. We conclude that maternal IFN-alpha during pregna ncy should be safe for the fetus. The indications for IFN therapy in p regnancy could therefore be the same as those in the non-pregnant stat e.