Is PrEP safe during pregnancy?
Generally speaking, yes. Many women living with HIV take Truvada as part of their treatment while pregnant without a problem. There also haven’t been any problems seen in the people who became pregnant while on PrEP in trials.
Engaging in medical care and talking to your provider are essential to good health for you and your baby. If you decide to take PrEP, your baby will be exposed to Truvada. However, the medicines in Truvada have been studied among pregnant women living with HIV and hepatitis B and there is no known increased chance of birth defects, growth problems, or complications during pregnancy, including preterm birth and miscarriage. [Note 1]
Research with women taking Truvada as PrEP or as treatment for HIV or hepatitis B suggests that Truvada is safe during breastfeeding. Only a very small amount of Truvada gets into the baby through breastmilk, so babies are not likely to experience side effects when their mother is taking PrEP. [Notes 2, 3, 4]
You can find more information in Preventing HIV During Pregnancy/Breast Feeding: Using PrEP &/or PEP.
Notes & Sources
- Mofenson LM, Baggaley RC, and Mameletzis I. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate safety for women and their infants during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Benaboud S, et. al. Concentrations of tenofovir and emtricitabine in breast milk of HIV-1-infected women in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, in the ANRS 12109 TEmAA Study, Step 2.
- Palombi L, et. al. Concentrations of tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz in mothers and children enrolled under the Option B-Plus approach in Malawi.
- Mugwanya KK, et. al. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use by Breastfeeding HIV-Uninfected Women: A Prospective Short-Term Study of Antiretroviral Excretion in Breast Milk and Infant Absorption.