Question
I found out I’m pregnant while taking efavirenz?
18 June 2012. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
I found out I was pregnant when already on Atripla and my concerns were what I had read up on efavirenz (initially). I’m 43 and this is my first pregnancy, and this latter issue is now more worrisome than the previous one. Your input, please!?
Answer
Hello, thank-you for your question. And congratulations on your pregnancy!
Many women who are pregnant or trying to conceive contact us to ask about efavirenz.
Many years ago, efavirenz was not recommended during pregnancy.
Much more recent data has shown that these concerns are no longer important.
Many women have safely become pregnant when they are already taking ARVs, including efavirenz (or Atripla which contains efavirenz).
UK guidelines recommend that efavirenz can continue to be used by women who want to become pregnancy. They also recommend that efavirenz can be used by during pregnancy.
You also said that you are concerned about this being your first pregnancy at 43. I’m not a maternity expert and I can’t give you much advice about this. It’s important to talk to your doctor or midwife about your concerns. Many women who become pregnant in their late 30s and early 40s have perfectly healthy pregnancies and babies. It’s important to get advice from your healthcare team to help make your pregnancy as healthy as possible.
Our guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health is available to read online or to download. The guide contains information about many issues around pregnancy and HIV, including mother to child transmission; prenatal care and delivery choices. You can access it at this link: HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.
I am 36years, 5months pregnant, my CD4 is 680 while Viral Load 6000+. I was told to start altripla in order for my baby not to be positive. Does atripla have any effect on the baby? Am afraid?
Thanks
Hi Lizzy, thanks for sharing your story- good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
I got pregnant 2 years later while on Atripla. At first the Doctor said i should should stop until after the end of the the first trimester. I did not follow doctor’s advice coz i was scared of making the drug resistant. The next visit to the doctor, i was told to continue on Atripla and am now 25 weeks pregnant. My baby is very active and the ultra sound showed no abnormalities in the baby. i too was scared but i keep assuring myself nothing will be wrong with my baby.
Hi Candice,
Lots of women find out they are pregnant when taking Atripla. It’s fine to keep taking Atripla throughout your pregnancy. This will help protect your baby from being infected with HIV. It is very unlikely that Atripla will have any negative effects on your baby. You can read more about the safety of ARVs in pregnancy here.
hi….i also found that im pregnant 4 weeks after 5 weeks of starting Atripla im so scared.im 21 and im confused,will it affect my baby?
Hi Buhle,
Over the past few years, advice about efavirenz and pregnancy has changed. The current UK guidelines for the management of HIV in pregnancy recommend that efavirenz can continue to be used by women considering pregnancy. They also recommend that efavirenz can be used by women diagnosed HIV positive during pregnancy. Do speak to your doctor about this but try not to worry- being on treatment means that it is very likely your baby will be born HIV negative. Please see our pregnancy guide for more information. Best of luck with your pregnancy!
iam a 23 year old, find out dt m pregnant 3dayz ago, m worried bcs m on ART n using EFAVIRENZ? Wt must i do???? Plz help…
Dear Melody
Being positive and taking Atripla alone should not affect your chances of becoming pregnant. There are other factors that can affect your chances.These include: whether you are trying to conceive at your most fertile time. This is also known as ovulation. (Ovulation takes place in the middle of your monthly cycle, about 14 days before your period); your age ( although women can have babies well into our 40s, generally, the older we get, the less fertile we become); whether both you and your husband are able to conceive naturally and it can also be down to luck. Some couples only need to have sex once before the woman gets pregnant, whereas it can take many years for other couples to conceive.
Both you and your husband may find it helpful to read our guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. It provides information on conception options for positive couples. And answers a lot of general questions you may have around HIV and pregnancy.
Good luck with your future plans.
l’m 47 and both me and my husband are positive.we take atripla and we are trying
for a baby.does it affect the chances of becoming pregnant?
Very informative! And the redirection to relevant links excellent.