hep c and pregnancy

[ms89]

hi i have began treatment for hep c which is the interferon, incivek, and ribavrin. My girlfriend was already pregnant when i began treatment.  we have had unprotected sex.  can my sperm hurt our unborn baby.  my doctor told us not to get pregnant after i start treatment but she never said anything to us about if she were to get pregnant before i started treatment.  we want to know what are the chances of having my sperm affect our unborn baby.  we have only had sex a few times since i started treatment.  i've only been on the treatment for one month.  

[pooh55811]

Hello amd welcome to the forum.

Your doctor should have thoroughly discussed the issue of pregnancy before you started treatment. Since she apparently did not, I would suggest that you call your treating doctor and discuss the pregnancy with her tomorrow. I would also suggest that your wife call her obstetrician tomorrow and discuss the pregnancy with that doctor.

In addition, here is some information and a number you can call to find out more information and to register the pregnancy:

"To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women or female partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin, a Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-593-2214 (USA)".  


Here are the warnings for Ribavirin:

Ribavirin Pregnancy Warnings

Ribavirin has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Nearly all animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies.

*****Ribavirin therapy is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant. Female patients receiving ribavirin and the partners of male patients receiving ribavirin must avoid pregnancy, using at least two reliable forms of contraception, during treatment and for 6 months after completion of treatment. *****

To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women or female partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin, a Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-593-2214 (USA).

The manufacturer recommends the use of at least two reliable forms of effective contraception during treatment with ribavirin and during the 6 months after completion of treatment. A negative pregnancy test should be obtained immediately before the planned start of therapy.

http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/ribavirin.html


And this:

Ribavirin can cause birth defects or death in an unborn baby. Do not use this combination of drugs if you are pregnant, or if you are a man and your sexual partner is pregnant. Use at least 2 effective forms of birth control while either sexual partner is using interferon alfa and ribavirin, and for at least 6 months after treatment ends.

•Use at least 2 non-hormonal forms of birth control while either sexual partner is using Incivek with interferon alfa and ribavirin. Keep using 2 forms of birth control for at least 6 months after treatment ends.

•If you are a woman, do not use Incivek with interferon alfa and ribavirin if you are pregnant.

•If you are a man, do not use Incivek with interferon alfa and ribavirin if your sexual partner is pregnant. An unborn baby could also be harmed if a man fathers the child while he is taking ribavirin.

•Hormonal contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, intrauterine device (IUD), diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Incivek.

•Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using Incivek with interferon alfa and ribavirin.

http://www.drugs.com/incivek.html


And this:

Telaprevir combination therapy is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant.

Pregnancy must be avoided in female patients and female partners of male patients during telaprevir combination therapy. The manufacturer recommends the use of at least two reliable forms of effective contraception during treatment with ribavirin and during the 6 months after completion of treatment

http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/telaprevir.html

[willbb]

Protected sex must be practiced by males taking Ribavirin therapy with partners that may become or "are "pregnant . You doctor should have advised you of this.

Please talk to your doctor and I advise to phone the " Ribavirin Pregnacy Rregistry" office (the number is linked below)

Best to you..
Will


http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/ribavirin.html

Ribavirin Pregnancy Warnings

Ribavirin has been assigned to pregnancy category X by the FDA. Nearly all animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. One published case reports the uneventful use of ribavirin at 33 weeks gestation. Ribavirin therapy is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in the male partners of women who are pregnant. Female patients receiving ribavirin and the partners of male patients receiving ribavirin must avoid pregnancy, using at least two reliable forms of contraception, during treatment and for 6 months after completion of treatment. To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women or female partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin, a Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling 1-800-593-2214 (USA).

The manufacturer recommends the use of at least two reliable forms of effective contraception during treatment with ribavirin and during the 6 months after completion of treatment. A negative pregnancy test should be obtained immediately before the planned start of therapy. Health personnel and visitors who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should also avoid contact with aerosolized ribavirin until more information is available. In one adverse drug report, 3 nurses who worked in the same intensive care unit gave birth to babies with ventricular septal defects. However, only one mother was possibly exposed to ribavirin 5 months prior to estimated conception. A specific causal relationship has not been established.

[Eki1]

I've heard it tastes very different when you are on treatment.

That doesn't answer your question and probably doesn't help you, but she said it tasted a lot more chemically.  She also said my skin in general tasted more chemically.

I felt bad for her, but what can I do?  You have to go through treatment.

I haven't heard one way or another about it hurting an unborn baby.