Efavirenz

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Efavirenz (ee-FAH-vih-renz) is a drug used with other drugs to treat infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It blocks HIV from making copies of itself. It is a type of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a type of antiviral agent. Also called Sustiva.


Information about Efavirenz[edit source]

Efavirenz is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with other agents in the therapy of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.


Liver safety of Efavirenz[edit source]

Efavirenz is associated with a low rate of serum enzyme elevations during therapy and is an uncommon, but well established cause of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Efavirenz[edit source]

Efavirenz (ef" a vir' enz) is an antiretroviral agent that acts by noncompetitive binding to and inhibition of the HIV reverse transcriptase. Efavirenz is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and is similar to nevirapine in its mechanism of action, but has little or no structural similarity. Efavirenz was approved for use in the United Sates in 1998 and is currently used in many antiretroviral regimens. Efavirenz is indicated for the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Dosage and administration for Efavirenz[edit source]

Efavirenz is available generically and under the brand name Sustiva in capsules of 50 and 200 mg and in tablets of 600 mg. Efavirenz is also available in fixed combination with emtricitabine (200 mg) and tenofovir (300 mg) under the brand name Atripla. The recommended dose of efavirenz in adults is 600 mg orally once daily.

Side effects of Efavirenz[edit source]

Common side effects include headache, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue and skin rashes (~25%). Rare, but potentially severe adverse effects include psychiatric and neurologic symptoms, convusions, immune reconstitution syndrome, lipodystrophy and severe hypersensitivity reactions including Stevens Johnson syndrome.

Antiviral agents[edit source]

Drugs for HIV Infection, in the Subclass Antiretroviral Agents

Drugs for Hepatitis B

Drugs for Hepatitis C

HCV NS5A Inhibitors

HCV NS5B (Polymerase) Inhibitors

HCV Protease Inhibitors

Combination Therapies

Drugs for Herpes Virus Infections (HSV, CMV, others)

Drugs for Influenza

Efavirenz Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD