Question
Cotrimoxazole not recommended for pregnant HIV-positive women?
19 July 2006. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections, Pregnancy.
When is cotrimoxazole contraindicated (not recommended), in a pregnant HIV-positive woman, with a CD4 less than 200 cells/mm3?
Answer
Guidelines recommend to use co-trimoxazole during pregnancy, just as they would for a non-pregnant HIV-positive woman. The main contraindication is if there is a previous history of allergic reactions to this drug (or class of drug).
This means that cotrimoxazole is recommended during pregnancy throughout the pregnancy, if the woman’s CD4 count is under 200 cells/mm3.
Some doctors are cautious about using cotrimoxazole during the first trimester in pregnancy, but if the mothers CD4 count indicated that she needed this for her own health, then the benefits are likely to outweigh any theoretical risks.
Hi Ife, Septrim does not effect fertility. You can still get pregnant while taking it. Septrim is used to prevent other infections while you have a low CD4 count. Have you had a recent test for yours? What were you finding difficult about taking Septrim?
HIV positive,been on ARV and Septrim but noticed dat I couldn’t take in, so I stopped the Septrim so as to take in, have I made a good decision?
Does Septrim makes one not to be pregnant?