cladribine · Medicine question

Why is LITAK (cladribine) contraindicated during pregnancy?

iatroX medicinesPublished 8 November 2026

The answer

Answer

LITAK (cladribine) is contraindicated during pregnancy because cladribine causes serious birth defects, with teratogenicity and mutagenicity demonstrated in animal studies and in vitro studies with human cell lines.

Sources for this answer

LITAK 2mg/ml solution for injectionLIPOMED GmbH · emc · SmPC §4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation · Version 6Document updated 11 February 2025

Sources checked 8 November 2026

Explore this learning need in CPDTake this topic to CPD, then choose your learning context and available question library.

How long is breastfeeding contraindicated during and after treatment with LITAK (cladribine)?How is LITAK (cladribine) administered, and does it require dilution?What condition is LITAK (cladribine) used to treat?Why is simultaneous administration of LITAK (cladribine) and fludarabine not advisable?Why should corticosteroids not be given alongside LITAK (cladribine)?Has progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) been reported after cladribine treatment?

loading page…

Answer

Sources for this answer

More questions about cladribine

Answer

Sources for this answer

More questions about cladribine

cladribine

More clinical questions?