Q and A

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

Answer: Rebecca McDowall

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!

108 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Fiona,

    Firstly, congratulations on the news that you’re going to have a baby.

    However, it’s very important that you keep taking your ARVs. Taking ARVs is the best way to look after your own health. And this can also dramatically reduce the HIV risk to your baby to close to zero.

    Many HIV positive mothers have had healhy HIV negative babies when taking ARVs.

    Please see the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health. There’s a lot of info here, including for after your baby is born.

    Please talk to the clinic about the best ARVs for you to take during pregnancy.

  2. Fiona •

    Helo am on ARVS and I recently found out am pregnant I didn’t go yet to the clinic but am scared to take my medication anymore.

  3. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lindelwa,

    Your baby will be given navaripne once they are born. You’ll stick to your combination. Please see here for more info on pregnancy: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

  4. Lindelwa •

    Hi I just found out that I’m pragnent and I’m on FDC 1pill. So my question is am I gonna get Navaripine for the safety of my baby or this pill can protect my baby as well? Thank u

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Ogadimeng,

    If your viral load is undetectable there’s no risk of transmission to your husband. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/ This means that you can have a child in the traditional way.

  6. Ogadimeng •

    Im on atripla programme and the virus is undetectable and my husband needs a baby.i believe he knows everything because i send him to get my results even the pills.should we bear child.i don’t want my husband to be infected.plis help

  7. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Pinky,

    Being on ART can help protect your baby from HIV. 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.

    Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.

  8. Pinky •

    I’m HIV and on ART wth my partner but we do unprotected sex is its a risk for our baby??

  9. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Anga,

    Congratulations on the news you’re going to have a baby. It’s great that you’re on ARVs. This is the best way to help protect your health and your baby’s health.

    Taking HIV treatment (ART) can dramtically reduce the risk to your baby to close to zero. Here’s the guide to HIV pregnancy and women’s health.

    Do you mean your partner is positive but not on ART? Starting ART can benefit his health too. Here’s the Introduction to ART.

  10. anga •

    hey guys am 6months pregnant, I’m on ARVs but my partner is not taking them…we do have sex without condom, my child will b affected ?

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *