Question
Are my ARVs safe in pregnancy?
14 May 2013. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.
I’m four months pregnant and I’m on ARVs lamivudine efavirenz and tenofovir. Is it safe for the baby if I continue taking them?
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your question. Being on ARVs will reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your baby. If your viral load is undetectable throughout pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding the chance of passing HIV to your baby will be close to zero. So it is very important to continue taking ARVs throughout your pregnancy.
There used to be some advice against using efavirenz in pregnancy but this has changed. Please see this previous question for more informaiton about this.
Please also see our pregnancy guide, and this page about the safety of ARVs in pregnancy.
Please let me know if you have any further questions and I will be more than happy to help. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Hi,
Having unprotected sex with your partner does not put your baby at any risk of HIV. THe fact you are on treatment will help protect it from mother-to-child transmission.
There is a risk of transmission for your partner though.
You can find more information about HIV transmission here:
http://i-base.info/guides/testing/risks-for-transmission
I’m positive and taking ARVs. My partner knows but maybe twice a month we don’t use protection. Can my baby be infected?
Hi,
It is great that you have started treatment. This will help prevent your baby getting HIV. You can find lots of information and a list of frequently asked questions about HIV and pregnancy here:
http://i-base.info/qa/faqs-on-having-a-baby
I’m HIV positive and I started taking ARVs when I was 22 weeks pregnant, will my baby be protected from getting HIV?
Hi Xolani
These are all this to talk to your doctor or health worker about. This is especially about the discharge and your pregnancy. Sexual health is important but feeling about sex can change for many complicated reasons, including learning you are HIV positive, becoming pregnant, and sometimes related to mood changes relating to one of the HIV meds called efavirenz.
Hy I’m on Odomune but don’t enjoy sex anymore and my husband says my v is cold now and I have a discharge. I don’t know why and I am 28 week pregnant. Plz help I don’t knw what to d.
Hi,
Usually side effects improve after the first few weeks of treatment. The nightmares you are experiencing are linked to a drug called efavirenz which is in tribuss. You can read more about these side effects here.
I’m taking tribuss I’d like to find out that for how long will I experience the nightmares and ots been to days taking them
Hi, it’s fine to take odimune when you are pregnant. Thousands of women have taken ARVs during pregnancy and had healthy babies. This will help keep you healthy and also protect your baby from being infected. You can read more about ARVs in pregnancy in our pregnancy guide.
Hi I’m one month pregnant and also HIV positive I’m taking ODIMUNE so I’m wondering if it is safer to take while I’m pregnant.