Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Efavirenz | Drug Overview & Clinical Reference
Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Efavirenz
Clinical safety rating: safe
Animal studies have demonstrated safety
How it works
Mechanism information is still being processed. Check the DailyMed link in the sidebar for the official prescribing information.
Dosing & administration
Dosing varies by indication and patient profile. Always follow your institution's current prescribing guidelines.
Renal impairment
Consult protocols for adjustment.
Liver impairment
Consult protocols for adjustment.
Use during pregnancy
1st trimester
Safe. WHO-endorsed regimen including EFV throughout T1. Do not delay ART initiation.
2nd trimester
Safe. Continue regimen.
3rd trimester
Safe. Continue through labor and delivery. Maintain viral suppression to minimize MTCT risk.
Clinical note
Standard first-line ART for HIV-positive pregnant women per WHO 2021 guidelines. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + lamivudine (3TC) + efavirenz (EFV) as a fixed-dose combination. Efavirenz was historically avoided in T1 due to neural tube defect risk in animal studies; large human registry data (>2,000 T1 exposures) have not confirmed this risk in humans. WHO and UNAIDS now endorse EFV-based regimens throughout pregnancy. Starting or continuing ART is critical to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV — benefits far outweigh any theoretical risks.
Breastfeeding
Safe. Continue ART during breastfeeding — WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding with maternal ART for 6 months then continued breastfeeding up to 12–24 months in resource-limited settings.
