AEGiS-BALA: News from Here and There: Efavirenz and Pregnancy

News from Here and There: Efavirenz and Pregnancy

Being Alive, Los Angeles; May 1998

DuPont Merck has informed researchers, physicians, and patients using the experimental drug efavirenz (Sustiva, also known as DMP-266) that malformations were found in three of 13 monkey fetuses after their mothers were given the drug throughout their pregnancy, at doses which approximate human blood levels of the drug.

All the malformations are believed to have occurred very early in pregnancy. The trials of efavirenz have always required volunteers to use effective contraception, and have required pregnancy tests for women at each study visit. This was done as a general precaution because the drug is experimental. The new information emphasizes the importance of not becoming pregnant while taking efavirenz.

Earlier studies in rats and rabbits had not found any such problems. According to DuPont Merck, this is the first time a pharmaceutical company has tested an antiretroviral in monkeys for safety during pregnancy. Because there is no indication of harm in late pregnancy, the drug has not been ruled out for use in preventing maternal/infant transmission of HIV. (AIDS Treatment News)

980501
BA980512

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

Copyright © 1998 - Being Alive. Permission granted for noncommercial reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included if more than short quotations are used. Subscription lists are kept confidential. Being Alive, 3626 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 TEL: (213) 667-3262; TTD: (213) 661-7837; FAX: (213) 667-2735; Email: BeiAlive@aol.com http://www.mbay.net/~bngalive/index2.html

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1998. AEGIS.