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 Lerato,
Yes you can use Eflaten when pregnant. Info about pregnancy and HIV can be found here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Im on eflaten and two months pregnant. Is it safe to protect my unborn baby to get hiv
Hi Bomkazi,
Even if you’re an elite controller, you’ll need to start medication. This is due to you being pregnant. There’s more about pregnancy here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hi, I’m one of those HIV people known as Elite bcz my viral load is undetactable and my CD4 Count is above 900. I recently found out I’m pregnant and I don’t know if I should start treatment or not bcz its Bern a year since I knew my status but I wasn’t on any medication. Should I start now?
Hi Madikizela,
Because you’re on medication, as long as your viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission will be very low. There’s more about this here, as well as what to expect when positive and pregnant: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy
Hy guys am 2 months pregnant and am continuing taking my treatment every day at night,so I want to now is there any chances of affecting my newborn baby? please help me guyz am scared.
Hi Kate,
This doesn’t sound like its something that could be related to your meds. Please see a doctor about this.
Hi im 6months pregnant and on ARVs im taking the 1pill at night,my problem is burning i feel at my chest when i wake up at night idrink lots of water as I’ve been advised,because my urine is too acidic could this affect my baby.
Hi Kgomotso,
Although pregnant women are often advised against taking many medicines, this is not the case with HIV drugs.
Thousands of women have taken these drugs all over the world without any complications. This has resulted in many healthy HIV negative babies.
hi am 6 weeks preg and taking arv the thing is am taking the single drug atnight only is it safe for my baby