Sofosbuvir Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Brand names: Sovaldi
Sofosbuvir Pregnancy Warnings
Use of a ribavirin-containing regimen is contraindicated in pregnant women and in the male partners of women who are pregnant; sofosbuvir should not be used as monotherapy.
-According to some authorities: As a precaution, it is preferable to avoid use of sofosbuvir during pregnancy.
For regimens containing ribavirin or peginterferon alfa:
-AU TGA pregnancy category: X
For sofosbuvir:
-AU TGA pregnancy category: B1
-US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.
Risk summary: No data available on use of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk.
Comments:
-The manufacturer product information for ribavirin and peginterferon alfa should be consulted regarding use during pregnancy and use in females and males of reproductive potential.
-Effective contraception is required during ribavirin therapy and for 6 months after the last dose; local protocol should be consulted regarding contraception timing.
Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Monotherapy is not recommended.
Pregnancy must be avoided in female patients and female partners of male patients using a ribavirin-containing regimen. All animal species exposed to ribavirin have shown significant teratogenic and/or embryocidal effects. Females of reproductive potential and their male partners should not receive ribavirin unless they are using effective contraception during therapy and for 6 months after therapy.
AU TGA pregnancy category B1: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have not shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.
AU TGA pregnancy category X: Drugs which have such a high risk of causing permanent damage to the fetus that they should not be used in pregnancy or when there is a possibility of pregnancy.
US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.
Sofosbuvir Breastfeeding Warnings
LactMed: If the mother requires this drug, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding; some experts recommend against breastfeeding when this drug is used with ribavirin.
-According to some authorities: Breastfeeding is not recommended during use of this drug.
-According to some authorities: Use is not recommended.
Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Yes (GS-331007 [main circulating metabolite of this drug])
Comments:
-This drug has not been studied in nursing mothers receiving treatment for hepatitis C virus infection.
-Developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered as well as the mother's clinical need for this drug.
-The effects in the nursing infant are unknown; potential side effects in the breastfed child due to this drug or the mother's underlying condition should be considered.
-The manufacturer product information for ribavirin and peginterferon alfa should be consulted.
See also
References for pregnancy information
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
- (2013) "Product Information. Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)." Gilead Sciences
References for breastfeeding information
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
- Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
- United States National Library of Medicine (2013) Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
- (2013) "Product Information. Sovaldi (sofosbuvir)." Gilead Sciences
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.