From the Research
There is no evidence that maternal use of Skyrizi (risankizumab) causes bloody stools in breastfed infants. Skyrizi is a monoclonal antibody medication used to treat conditions like psoriasis and Crohn's disease. Large proteins like monoclonal antibodies typically do not pass into breast milk in significant amounts, and even if small amounts were present, they would likely be destroyed in the infant's digestive tract rather than absorbed. The manufacturer has limited data on breastfeeding while using Skyrizi, but theoretical risk is considered low, as supported by studies such as 1. If a breastfeeding infant develops bloody stools, other more common causes should be investigated, such as milk protein allergy, infections, or other gastrointestinal issues. Any mother noticing bloody stools in her infant should contact a healthcare provider promptly for proper evaluation, regardless of medications she may be taking.
Some key points to consider:
- Risankizumab has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of Crohn's disease, as demonstrated in studies such as 2 and 3.
- The safety profile of risankizumab is comparable to other advanced therapies, with common adverse events including nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, and headache, as noted in 1.
- While there is limited data on the use of Skyrizi during breastfeeding, the theoretical risk to the infant is considered low due to the large molecular size of the medication and its likely destruction in the infant's digestive tract, as discussed in 4 and 5.
Overall, the current evidence suggests that maternal use of Skyrizi does not pose a significant risk to breastfed infants, and any concerns about bloody stools should be investigated for other potential causes.