Abstract
Background: Despite increasing reports of successful pregnancies whilst using Efavirenz (EFZ), the drug remains Category C during pregnancy due to concerns around teratogenicity [1]. Additionally, EFZ can render many hormonal methods of contraception less effective. For these reasons, UK guidance suggests that HIV positive women should be informed of these effects before commencing treatment [2]. Following a case in this unit where a young HIV-positive woman had an unplanned pregnancy whilst using Implanon and taking EFZ/Truvada, we examined contraceptive use and advice given to women in our cohort using EFZ, and then instigated changes to improve practice in this area. Supplement: Abstracts of the Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1758-2652-13-S4-info.pdf Conference: Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 7-11 November 2010 Glasgow, UK (Published: 8 November 2010) doi:10.1186/1758-2652-13-S4-P112 Cite this article as: Seaton et al.: Efavirenz use and contraceptive methods in HIV-positive women in a large urban cohort. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2010 13(Suppl 4):P112. Full text: PubMed Central: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112887/
Highlights
Despite increasing reports of successful pregnancies whilst using Efavirenz (EFZ), the drug remains Category C during pregnancy due to concerns around teratogenicity [1]
3Sandyford, Genitourinary Medicine, Glasgow, UK Full list of author information is available at the end of the article cacy of hormonal methods. Following these results we introduced a section for contraception on our clinical review form to act as a prompt for clinicians
Women should be made aware of the potential interaction between antiretrovirals and hormonal contraceptives at the HIV clinic — as some may not disclose their status to Family Planning or GP services and we cannot assume that this advice is being given elsewhere
Summary
Despite increasing reports of successful pregnancies whilst using Efavirenz (EFZ), the drug remains Category C during pregnancy due to concerns around teratogenicity [1]. Methods Case-note review of all women taking EFZ in Jan 2008 and again in Feb 2010. Advice on teratogenicity, and advice on efficacy documentation was recorded.
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