Question
I am pregnant, can I take Tribuss?
28 June 2012. Related: All topics, Pregnancy, South Africa.
Hi
I am currently pregnant (third trimester) and taking Tribuss (efavirenz+FTC+tenofovir).
Could it affect my unborn baby?
I have only been taking it for a week and I am vomiting.
Answer
Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy.
I hope you don’t mind if I start off by asking why you started treatment only a week ago. Is it because you were recently diagnosed?
Your first question was whether the medication you are taking will affect your unborn baby. Tribuss contains the drugs efavirenz, FTC and tenofovir. It is a combination that is now used by many HIV positive pregnant women worldwide. In the past, women wishing to conceive were advised not to use efavirenz, or to switch if they found out they were pregnant whilst taking it.
However, over the past few years, this advice has now changed. Here in the UK, 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.
There are many reports of women throughout the world who have continued taking efavirenz during pregnancy.
You mention that you are vomiting. Vomiting is not a side effect commonly associated with Tribuss. It could, therefore, be due to any number of reasons, including morning sickness. This is a condition that affects more than half of all pregnant women. Symptoms include vomiting. Although for many women symptoms settle down earlier on in pregnancy.
However, as with any symptoms, the best way to confirm what is causing the vomiting, is to contact your doctor. S/he will be able to confirm the best way to treat you.
In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read our guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health. The guide lists some tips which can help with nausea and vomiting. It also answers a lot of general questions you may have around HIV and pregnancy.
Best wishes.
Hi Momi,
Congratulations on the news that you’re going to have a baby. It’s good to hear that you’re taking ARVs. That’s because the benefits of ART are not just to your own health. Treating your HIV will reduce the risk of your baby becoming HIV positive to almost zero.
If you’re taking Tribuss, and Chela Preg is a regular multivitamin, it should be fine to take them. But please tell your doctor if you’re taking any supplements as well as your ARVs. Some herbs and supplements can interact with HIV meds.
There’s lots of info in this guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.
Hi
I’m 29 weeks pregnant & my viral load is 352
I’m taking chela preg & ARVs. Is it safe to drink chela preg while on ARVs?
Hi Lilian,
It’s great that you’re looking after your health during pregnancy. But your question is important because some minerals and supplements can interact with some ARVs. It’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about all supplements you are taking. You might need to take Chela Preg and your ARVs at different times during the day.
I’m on ARV and taking chela preg, is it ok to do so?
Hi Sammy, Sorry, this sounds tough. Yes, it’s good to continue with your medication because this can look after your health and protect your baby from HIV. Tribuss and the other meds you mention are usually taken at bed time. Would this help? Can you contact the clinic and ask them what to do? In the meantime here are some tips to help morning sickness.
I’m 11 weeks pregnant and I’m suffering from awful morning sickness I started HIV treatment 2011 and I’m taking tribuss or atroiza and atenef. I’ve stop taken them for a week because I can’t keep anyfood once I put something I vomits and I helps cause I’m vomiting bile twice a day is there any help plz I want to continue with my medication
Hi Palesa, HIV treatment can be used at any CD4 count. Definitely before falling below 350 and usually before 500. The time to start treatment varies in different countries though depending on access to treatment in the guidelines.
when can one start taking Tribuss? at what cd4 count?
Hi Monalisa
It is good that you found out you are positive this early in your pregnancy. You are lucky to find out now because of how low your CD4 count is. The HIV meds should get this much higher over the next year.
Now you are on treatment your viral load should become undetectable long before the baby is born. This is really good news for both you and your babys health.
Please contact your doctor or clinic about the rash – ideally today.
Any rash needs to be reported to your clinic so they can decide how serious it is and whether you need to go to the clinic.
About 1 in 8 people get a rash on Odimune and on Tribuss. Sometimes it is important to change to a new drugs.
Tribuss and Odimune are different versions of the same medicine. They both contain the same durgs.
Please contact your clinic about the rash and let me know if you have other questions.
Hi I found out I’m hiv positive when I was 3 months pregnant. I was put on odimune but changed to tribuss; my cd4 count was 17.now I’m worried will my unborn baby be okay.and I have developed a itchy rush on my face; arms and chest.Should I be worried?