What Are The Side Effects Of 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 »

Delayed / Prolonged side effects of efavirenz

Hi Doctor, I started on Truvada and Efavirenz about 5 weeks ago when my CD4 was around 420 (21%) and VL around 20,000. In the first week after I started the medication, I experienced the usual side effects of giddiness, bad moods and the feeling of...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

You are describing what is likely persistent side effects from efavirenz (may be worth checking blood level of efavirenz). Perhaps 5-10% of patients have persistent efavirenz central nervous system problems even after the first 2-4 weeks. When that... Read more »

Efavirenz pychotic side effects

My sister in zambia is on EFV,d4T and 3TC. She is taking ant TB drugs as well- intense phase. Her CD4 count is 33 and has only been on ARVs for 1 week. Before the ARVs she had 2 episodes of convulsions which led to Cryptococcal menigitis being...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Generally a patient can be treated through the early period of brain side effects from efavirenz. Otten some sort of sedative /sleep drug is offered to help out during the first several weeks when a patient is having significant problems. The... Read more »

I think i'm experiencing side effects from Efavirenz

I have been taking efavirenz for 7 months and about 3 weeks ago i experienced loss of appetite, jaundiced eyes, itching skin, vomiting. My doctor said i had hepatitis A and gave me multi vitimins and recommended i eat alot, but when the hepatitis a,...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

You could be having an usual and persistent neurologic side effects from efavirenz -if no other explanation apparent after a good general medical evaluation then a switch to an alternative medication (such as another NNRTI--rilpivirine or... Read more »

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Efavirenz: ways to fight its sleep-reduction.

Posted by BrokenWingedBird, 2 Replies

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 »

fear of medications side effects

Posted by Anonymous, 8 Replies

Hi all! Im one of those who just tested postive. My cd4 is 320 and as per my doctor Im on what you call "gray zone" level. Done with my baselines and all of my lab tests are negative. I may not be advise to take medications for the time being but Im... 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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