Names:
Efavirenz, DMP 266, Sustiva
Approved dosage:
Three 200mg capsules once each day.
Children:
Approved for use in children 3 years and above, weighing more than 13kg. Syrup available.
Tips on taking it:
Take with or without food. Avoid taking it with a high fat meal which may increase absorption. If Efavirenz causes confusion or dizziness, take before going to bed.
Common side-effects:
Rash (less common than with Nevirapine and Delavirdine), dizziness, diarrhoea, headache. Psychological effects, which may occur in the first four weeks of treatment and then usually stop, include feeling 'out of sorts', vivid dreams, euphoria, suicidal thoughts, psychotic episodes.
Rare side-effects:
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (very rare).
Resistance to efavirenz:
Is likely to mean resistance to Delavirdine and Nevirapine.
Key drug interactions:
Alters blood levels of the protease inhibitors. May interfere with oral contraceptives. Do not take efavirenz with hard gel Saquinavir, Clarithromycin, Terfenadine, Astemizole, Cisapride, Triazolam, Rifampicin and Midazolam. Drug levels may be affected if taken with Viagra
Brain:
Efavirenz crosses the blood-brain barrier and has some action against HIV in the brain and the central nervous system.
Pregnancy:
Animal studies found Efavirenz caused abnormalities in the offspring. People planning pregnancy should not take Efavirenz.
Disclaimer:
The site editor has taken all such care as considered reasonable in preparing the information published, but cannot be held responsible for any Inaccuraciesor mis-statements of fact contained herein.
