Which drug is used to prevent the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their babies?

Zidovudine is the medication used specifically to prevent the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their babies. Administering Zidovudine during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of the virus passing from the mother to the fetus during childbirth. It is often part of a combination antiretroviral therapy regimen and can be given to the mother during labor and to the baby shortly after birth to further safeguard against transmission.

This drug has been extensively studied and has evidenced benefits in reducing maternal viral load, which directly correlates with a decreased risk of perinatal transmission of HIV. Its effectiveness in this role has led to its widespread use in clinical practice for managing HIV-positive pregnant women, making it a key component of maternal-infant health protocols in HIV care.

In contrast, while other drugs like Lamivudine, Tenofovir, and Efavirenz are important in antiretroviral therapy, they do not have the same established role or level of effectiveness in preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to baby during the critical perinatal period as Zidovudine does.