Is It Safe for My Baby? - HIV Medications

(e.g., antivirals such as efavirenz (Sustiva®), lamivudine (3TC®), ritonavir (Norvir®), zidovudine (AZT®))

Risks During Pregnancy

• A mother with HIV may get sicker if she stops her medication.
• HIV medications will protect the fetus from getting HIV.

Recommendations During Pregnancy

• Check with your doctor about an appropriate drug regimen. It is important for women with HIV to take HIV medications when pregnant.
• Continue HIV medications during pregnancy; rather than causing harm, they will protect your baby from getting HIV
• Call Motherisk’s confidential HIV Health line at 1-888-246-5840 for more information.

Risks During Breastfeeding

• Since HIV can be passed from mother to child through breastmilk, breastfeeding is discouraged.
• The safety of HIV medications while breastfeeding is unknown.

Recommendations During Breastfeeding

• Check with your doctor about appropriate alternatives to breastfeeding.
• Call Motherisk's confidential HIV Healthline at 1-888-246-5840 for more information.
• If you have HIV, and are a mother living in Ontario, you can call The Teresa Group at 416-596-7703 for information about how you can get free formula for your baby for one year from the baby's birthdate.

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