Viranz Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy should be avoided in women treated with efavirenz. Barrier contraception should always be used in combination with other methods of contraception (for example, oral or other hormonal contraceptives). Women of childbearing potential should undergo pregnancy testing before initiation of efavirenz. Efavirenz should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus and there are no other appropriate treatment options. If a woman takes efavirenz during the first trimester of pregnancy or becomes pregnant while taking efavirenz, the patient should be informed of the potential harm to the foetus.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of efavirenz in pregnant women. It is known whether efavirenz is excreted in human milk. Since animal data suggest that the substance may be passed into breast milk. It is recommended that mothers taking efavirenz do not breast-feed their infants. It is recommended that HIV-infected women do not breast-feed their infants under any circumstances in order to avoid transmission of HIV.