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Lexiva and Breastfeeding
Since no studies have been conducted on Lexiva and breastfeeding, it is not known if the drug passes through breast milk. However, most women taking the drug should avoid breastfeeding to reduce the risk of transmitting the HIV infection to their infants. Every woman's situation is different, so talk to your healthcare provider about Lexiva and breastfeeding in your particular situation.
from eMedTV.comCurrently, it is not known if Lexiva® (fosamprenavir calcium) passes through breast milk in women. However, women with HIV or AIDS in developed countries (such as the United States) are almost always advised to avoid breastfeeding to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV infection to their infants. Therefore, most women taking Lexiva should avoid breastfeeding.
Studies in rats have shown that Lexiva passes through breast milk, but no studies have been conducted on whether it also passes through breast milk in humans. Based on the chemical structure of Lexiva, it is likely to pass through breast milk in humans. More importantly, the HIV virus can also pass through breast milk. Therefore, any HIV-infected woman who can safely feed her baby with formula should not breastfeed. There are some situations in which formula feeding is not safe, such as if no clean water supply is available to mix the formula or to wash the bottles. In these situations, it is difficult to know whether breastfeeding or formula feeding is more dangerous. In general, using both breastfeeding and formula feeding is considered the most dangerous, as digestive system irritation or infections from unclean water can allow HIV to pass into the body from the digestive tract more easily.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD