Efavirenz

It is a non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Indications

Treatment of HIV infection in combination with other retroviral drugs.

Dosage

Adult: 600 mg once daily. Children: Over 3 years : 13-14kg body weight : 200mg once daily; 15-19 kg body weight : 250mg once daily; 20-24 kg body weight : 300 mg once daily; 25-32.4 kg body weight : 350mg once daily; 32.5 -39 kg body weight : 400mg once daily; > 40 kg body weight : adult dose.

Special Precautions

Hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment, history of mental illness or substance abuse.

Side Effects

Rash (including Stevens Johnson syndrome), dizziness, fatigue, impaired concentration, nausea, headache, insomnia, somnolence, abnormal dreams, occasionally vomiting, diarrhoea, hepatitis. Depression, psychosis, ataxia, anxiety, stupor, vertigo. Raised serum cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes, pancreatitis.

Drug Interactions

Grapefruit juice may affect plasma efavirenz concentration. Antibacterials : Increased risk of rash with clarithromycin. Rifampicin reduces plasma concentration of efavirenz. Antidepressants : Avoid concomitant use of St. John’s Wort Antihistaminics : Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias when used with terfenadine. Other antivirals : Efavirenz reduces plasma concentration of amprenavir, indinavir and lipinavir. Efavirenz reduces plasma concentration of saquinavir. Anxiolytics :Risk of prolo