Sustiva Side Effects Efavirenz

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Efavirenz (Sustiva)

What Is Efavirenz? Efavirenz is a drug used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is also called Sustiva or Stocrin. It is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Generic versions have been tentatively approved under PEPFAR (see Fact Sheet 475 ). Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (a "non-nuke" or NNRTI). These drugs stop HIV from multiplying by preventing the reverse transcriptase enzyme from working. This enzyme...

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Length of efavirenz (Sustiva) side effects

I have been on Stocrin (efavirenz, another trade name is Sustiva) for a month and I work mostly at night. Will the side effects of nightmares and me not thinking straight ever stop?...

Response from David Fawcett, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.

South Florida Center for Counseling and Therapy

The side effects of efavirenz are well-known, and can include nightmares, confusion, abnormal thinking, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. These usually diminish after six to eight weeks. Keep your physician informed and if these side... Read more »

Efavirenz Side Effects

Dr. Henry,Can one of the side effects of efavirenz be stomach and bowel problems if you eat a few hours before taking the pill?When on HIV meds, is it common after a few years of being on them to experience cramps and stomach pains? I had a...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

I have had a few patients who seemed to have stomach/gut problems from efavirenz (Sustiva) though more often it was due to one of the accompanying drugs (most often the AZT in Combivir or less often the tenofovir in Truvada or Atripla). KH... Read more »

Attacking side effect [Note in editing: please share your efavirenz experiences]

Hello from Kuala Lumpur,I started combivir+stocrin on 13 Sept 2011..after 3years diagnosed +ve with current CD4 290 and viral load 46,000i'm doing good with combivir, but unfortunately i surrender to the stocrin...nightmare, vomitting and...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Hello and thanks for posting from Malaysia.You question isn't silly at all. It is important that you understand the medications that you take and how to best manage any side effects.You're on a well tested first-line treatment and sounds... Read more »

A positive story about Atripla (specifically sustiva/efavirenz) rash

This isn't a question but a story. I wanted to share my experience of starting Atripla as I've seen a lot of people posting questions about the rash.I found out I had HIV 18 months ago and started Atripla 7 months ago. A week in I...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Thanks for sharing your experience--treating through a severe rash due to an HIV medication such as efavirenz in the ATripla can be nerve-racking for the patient and caregivers since often will resolve but rarely the situation can worsen and even... Read more »

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Efavirenz: ways to fight its sleep-reduction.

Posted by BrokenWingedBird, 1 Reply

If Efavirenz (and Efavirenz along)is really wrecking your sleep quality, then the only solution is to stop taking Efavirenz (and substitute it with another drug).

However, there are ways to ensure your sleep is as good as possible.

Important discovery: Read more »

Super Mareado con Sustiva

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hola amigos:

Antes de ayer comence tratamiento con Combivir y Sustiva (Efavirenz). Estoy tomando Efavirenz solamente en la noche como dijo mi medico. Estos dos dias han sido super horribles por el mareo y la sensacion de resaca (hangover) producida... Read more »

Ridiculous night-time brain-acitivity

Posted by BrokenWingedBird, 2 Replies

I was on Efavirenz (Sustiva) for a year. This was about two years ago. And I was one of the several-in-a-thousand who had serious mental side-effects from it. The main problem was horrific dreams that woke me at about 2am and in such a state of... Read more »

Question on meds

Posted by Anonymous

Has anyone ever taken Sustiva (efavirenz)? I've been on it for 5 years now, and my doctor think I should go off it because of the side effects. I'm considering it. Has anyone ever taken it? Did you have any problems with it?

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