Safety and Tolerability of Antiretrovirals during Pregnancy
2011

Safety and Tolerability of Antiretrovirals during Pregnancy

Sample size: 117 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Weinberg Adriana, Forster-Harwood Jeri, Davies Jill, McFarland Elizabeth J., Pappas Jennifer, Kinzie Kay, Barr Emily, Paul Suzanne, Salbenblatt Carol, Soda Elizabeth, Vazquez Anna, Levin Myron J.

Primary Institution: University of Colorado Denver

Hypothesis

What is the safety and tolerability of different components of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) during pregnancy?

Conclusion

The study found that nevirapine, zidovudine, and nelfinavir had the highest frequency of adverse events and/or the lowest tolerability during pregnancy.

Supporting Evidence

  • Combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) dramatically decreases mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission.
  • 7 grade ≥3 adverse events possibly related to antiretrovirals were identified.
  • Nevirapine and nelfinavir are infrequently used in pregnancy due to safety concerns.
  • Zidovudine is included in most mother-to-child transmission preventative regimens.

Takeaway

This study looked at how safe and tolerable HIV medications are for pregnant women. It found that some drugs can cause more problems than others.

Methodology

This was a retrospective chart review study of CART utilization and adverse events in pregnancies managed by the Children's Human Immunodeficiency Program in Denver, Colorado.

Potential Biases

There may be bias in reporting adverse events due to reliance on medical records.

Limitations

The study is limited by its retrospective design and the potential for incomplete data in medical records.

Participant Demographics

{"maternal_age":"30 (26, 34)","race":{"white":"68.6%","black":"29.5%","other":"1.9%"},"ethnicity":{"hispanic":"39%","not_hispanic":"61%"},"timing_of_HIV_diagnosis":{"prior_to_first_pregnancy":"67%","during_first_pregnancy":"33%"}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% confidence interval

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/867674

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