What are the side effects of Arvs during pregnancy?

What are the side effects of Arvs during pregnancy?

Most side effects are minor and include nausea, feeling tired and diarrhoea. Sometimes, but more rarely, they can be very serious. Some effects of HIV medicines are very similar to the changes that happen during pregnancy, eg morning sickness and the nausea caused by ART.

When should a pregnant woman start taking antiretroviral therapy?

If a woman with HIV infection presents late in pregnancy, ART should be initiated immediately, before availability of resistance testing. Initiate treatment as soon as possible, including in the first trimester.

Can I breastfeed while taking ARVs?

If you do not have access to formula and clean, boiled water all of the time, you may be advised to breastfeed while both you and your baby are taking antiretroviral treatment. If you do breastfeed, you must always take your treatment and exclusively breastfeed (give breastmilk only) for at least six months.

Can I stop taking ARVs after giving birth?

Starting treatment soon is important both for your own health, and to make it less likely that your baby is infected. Because your CD4 count is at the level where most people start treatment it is unlikely you would stop ARVs after giving birth. You should expect to continue taking ARVs for life once you start.

What are the symptoms of ARVs?

Antiretroviral HIV Drugs: Side Effects and Adherence

  • Managing side effects.
  • Appetite loss.
  • Lipodystrophy.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Mood changes.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

At what stage of pregnancy do you stop taking folic acid?

12 weeks pregnant
Women need up to 10 times more folate in pregnancy to help the baby develop. It’s recommended that all pregnant women, and those trying for a baby, take a folic acid supplement until they’re 12 weeks pregnant.

Can I take ARVs If I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

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.

Can HIV positive women take ARVs to prevent pregnancy?

The good news is that many HIV positive women all over the world have had healthy HIV negative babies when taking ARVs. ARVs are not known to prevent pregnancy. Please see this guide to HIV, pregnancy and women’s health.

Can you take anti retroviral drugs while pregnant?

SAFETY OF ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR INFANTS ARV drugs may be used during pregnancy as part of a triple-combination regimen for a woman who requires treatment for her own health or as short-term ARV prophylaxis given to a woman and/or her infant to prevent MTCT.

When is antiretroviral therapy indicated for HIV infection during pregnancy?

Regardless of HIV viral load and CD4 count, all HIV-infected pregnant women should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART) to reduce perinatal transmission.