Efavirenz Capsule while Breastfeeding
Do you know that important immune protective proteins are present in breast milk? Breast milk also contains required vitamins, minerals, saturated and un saturated fats. These things are extremely important for development of healthy brain. If you are taking any medicine for short term or for the chronic reason then that passes in breast milk as well, that is why you should always check the drug with your health care provider. Here at DrLact we try to analyze drugs based on available researches and in this sheet we will present our analysis for Efavirenz Capsule.

What is Efavirenz Capsule used for?


Efavirenz capsules in combination with other antiretroviral agents are indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and in pediatric patients at least 3 months old and weighing at least 3.5 kg. Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in adults and in pediatric patients at least 3 months old and weighing at least 3.5 kg. (1)

Is Efavirenz Capsule usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Efavirenz Capsule high risk while breastfeeding
As Efavirenz Capsule is made of only Efavirenz, and Efavirenz is unsafe to use in breastfeeding we can safely reach on conclusion that Efavirenz Capsule is also unsafe to use while breastfeeding. Below is detailed analysis of Efavirenz and Efavirenz Capsule during location. We recommend you to go through provided detailed analysis as below take decision accordingly. We also recommend you talk to your health care provider before making final decision.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Because of potential teratogenic effects, pregnancy should be avoided in women receiving efavirenz [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Pregnancy Testing Females of reproductive potential should undergo pregnancy testing before initiation of efavirenz. Contraception Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment with efavirenz and for 12 weeks after discontinuing efavirenz due to the long half-life of efavirenz. Barrier contraception should always be used in combination with other methods of contraception. Hormonal methods that contain progesterone may have decreased effectiveness [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Efavirenz Capsule Breastfeeding Analsys


Efavirenz while Breastfeeding

Unsafe

CAS Number: 154598-52-4

Anti-HIV drug. There is not experience on children younger than 3 years old. Mothers must be adviced that transmission of HIV infection through breastfeeding has been documented.

Efavirenz Capsule Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Efavirenz while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 154635-17-3

In the United States and other developed countries, HIV-infected mothers should generally not breastfeed their infants. Published experience with efavirenz during breastfeeding is limited. In countries in which no acceptable, feasible, sustainable and safe replacement feeding is available, World Health Organization guidelines recommend that all women with an HIV infection who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be maintained on antiretroviral therapy for at least the duration of risk for mother-to-child transmission. Mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first 6 months of life; breastfeeding with complementary feeding should continue through at least 12 months of life up to 24 months of life.[1] The first choice regimen for nursing mothers is tenofovir, efavirenz and either lamivudine or emtricitabine. If these drugs are unavailable, alternative regimens include: 1) zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz; 2) zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine; or 3) tenofovir, nevirapine and either lamivudine or emtricitabine. Exclusively breastfed infants should also receive 6 weeks of prophylaxis with nevirapine.[2][3] Treatment of mothers of HIV+ mothers with efavirenz as part of Option B+ therapy does not appear to affect growth of their HIV-negative breastfed infants.

Efavirenz Capsule and breastfeeding

I already used Efavirenz Capsule and meanwhile I breastfed my baby should I be concerned?

If you observer abnormal behavior or any other health issue in infant then you should immediately call 911 or contact other contact other emergency service provider in your area otherwise closely monitor the baby and inform your doctor about your Efavirenz Capsule usage and time interval of breastfeeding.


I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Efavirenz Capsule, is it safe?

If your doctor knows that you are breastfeeding mother and still prescribes Efavirenz Capsule then there must be good reason for that as Efavirenz Capsule is considered unsafe, It usually happens when doctor finds that overall advantage of taking outweighs the overall risk.


If I am using Efavirenz Capsule, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Yes, Extra monitoring is required if mother is using Efavirenz Capsule and breastfeeding as it is considered unsafe for baby.


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Efavirenz Capsule in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week