There are a wide variety of medications available to treat patients with 
rheumatoid arthritis, many of which are considered unsafe during pregnancy. It 
is important to tailor a treatment regimen that stabilises the woman's disease 
prior to conception, using medications that are safe to continue throughout 
pregnancy and the post-partum period. Drugs that may be safely used during 
pregnancy include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, plus several DMARDs, including 
sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. Drugs recommended to be stopped before 
pregnancy include methotrexate and leflunomide, plus the biologics: anti-TNF 
agents, rituximab and abatacept.