Description
Uses of medication: Efavir tablet contains the active ingredient Efavirenz. This medication is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTIs) used in conjunction with other antiretroviral medicines for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 infection.
Dosage: The recommended adult dosage of Efavir (efavirenz) 600 mg tablet taken orally, once daily together with a PI or NRTIs. Efavirenz is taken on an empty stomach, routinely at bedtime. Dosing at bedtime may help enhance the tolerability of nervous system symptoms. The recommended dosage of Efavir (efavirenz) for pediatric patients aged 3 years or older and weighing between 10 kg to less than 15 kg, 15 kg to less than 20 kg, 20 kg to less than 25 kg, 25 kg to less than 32.5 kg, and 32.5 kg to less than 40 kg is 200 mg, 250 mg, 300 mg, 350 mg, and 400 mg respectively. The recommended dosage of Efavir (efavirenz) for pediatric patients weighing beyond 40 kg is 600 mg once daily.
Treatment Reactions: The most commonly reported side effects of Efavirenz tablets are:
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
Warnings and Precautions:
- Efavirenz 200 mg/600 mg tablet is not for patients with previously known demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (eg, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the existing components of this product.
- The plasma concentrations of Efavirenz may be altered by inducers, inhibitors, or substrates of CYP3A. Likewise, this medicinal product may be responsible for altering plasma concentrations of medicines metabolized by either CYP3A or CYP2B6.
- Efavirenz tablets must not be considered as a single agent for the treatment of HIV-1 infection or added as a sole therapeutic option to a failing regimen.
- Coadministration of Efavirenz 600 mg/200 mg tablet with Atripla (emtricitabine 200 mg, efavirenz 600 mg, tenofovir 300 mg) is not recommended, since the medication efavirenz is one of its active ingredients.
- Patients with Efavirenz tablet treatment who experience central nervous system (CNS) symptoms such as impaired concentration, dizziness, or drowsiness need to avoid potentially hazardous activity such as driving or operating any machinery.
- Efavirenz tablet may be responsible for causing fetal harm if administered during the first trimester to a pregnant female. Pregnancy needs to be avoided in females receiving treatment with Efavirenz.
