pregnancy while on sustiva

[kitty1]

I recently got married and am considering getting pregnant with the evil depo provera gets out of my system.  I went to see my ob-gyn at the ryan white core center where i go.  i asked her what the serious consequences where if i got pregnant while on sustiva.  surprisingly she told me there has been no problems so far.  She says the reasearch was done on rats and not people.  She says none of her positive patients that have conceived while on sustiva have had any problems.  Not to say it may not happen.

i felt releaved.  I thought it was very deadly.

[Ann]

Hi Kitty,

Sustiva (aka efavirenz) is NOT recommended for use during pregnancy. From the iBase info:

Efavirenz
Efavirenz is not recommended in pregnancy. This drug caused neural tube defects (brain damage) in the developing foetus in a single animal study.

So far there are no reports of increased risk of neural tube damage in human babies. But, if other treatment options are available, there is a strong caution against its use.

This is most important during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when the neural tube is developing.

If you are already 12 or more weeks pregnant and have been taking efavirenz during this time you will need two tests.

Please read the entire page on pregnancy and hiv meds here.

The whole document on pregnancy and hiv can be downloaded by clicking here. Please note it is a PDF document. It's very up to date - published in July 2007. While it is based on UK treatment guidelines, the information is also valid in the US.

I'm surprised this doctor would take such a relaxed attitude to taking sustiva during pregnancy. It just doesn't seem worth the risk to me, especially when there are other, less dangerous, options available.

Keep us posted, Kitty. And good luck putting a bun in the oven!

Ann

[mesu]

Ann

I may need to start meds soon. As discussed with the nurse in the clinic, i was told that they do not recommend sustiva for women who may want to get pregnant in the future. Does it mean that this is not an option for me at all (as i may want to have babies one day)?

Can women take sustiva and then switch to another drugs if they want to get pregnant?

thanks.

mesu

[HealthyMomma]

I was on Sustiva and soon as I found out I was pregnant my doc switched me to something else...I cant remember what it was though...