Efavirenz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drugs for HIV Infection, in the Subclass Antiretroviral Agents

• Fusion Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Enfuvirtide, Maraviroc

• Integrase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Dolutegravir, Elvitegravir, Raltegravir

• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Ibalizumab

• Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Delavirdine, Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Rilpivirine

• Nucleoside Analogues (HIV)
  • Abacavir, Didanosine, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, Stavudine, Tenofovir, Zidovudine

• Protease Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Darunavir, Fosamprenavir, Indinavir, Lopinavir, Nelfinavir,Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Tipranavir

Drugs for Hepatitis B

• • Alpha Interferon, Adefovir, Emtricitabine, Entecavir, Lamivudine, Telbivudine, Tenofovir

Drugs for Hepatitis C

• Interferon Based Therapies
  • Alpha Interferon and Peginterferon, Ribavirin

HCV NS5A Inhibitors

• Daclatasvir, Elbasvir, Ledipasvir, Ombitasvir, Pibrentasvir, Velpatasvir

HCV NS5B (Polymerase) Inhibitors

• Dasabuvir, Sofosbuvir

HCV Protease Inhibitors

• Asunaprevir, Boceprevir, Glecaprevir, Grazoprevir, Paritaprevir, Simeprevir, Telaprevir, Voxilaprevir

Combination Therapies

• Epclusa, Harvoni, Mavyret, Technive, Viekira Pak, Vosevi, Zepatier

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

• Acyclovir, Cidofovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Valacyclovir, Valganciclovir

Drugs for Influenza

• Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Rimantadine, Zanamivir

• Dailymed label info on Efavirenz
• FDA Efavirenz

Efavirenz Resources
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