If you are living with HIV, it is very important to have a clear understanding of each of the medications that are included in your treatment. Because these medications are the ones that control the virus in your body and help you live a healthy life. Today we are going to talk about Efavirenz, an important medication that is prescribed to many people. It is most famous by the brand name Sustiva.
What kind of medicine is Efavirenz?
Simply put, Efavirenz is an antiretroviral drug that is used to fight the HIV virus.
But here you need to remember something very important. This medicine is not a complete cure for HIV. That is, it does not completely eliminate the virus from the body. However, this medicine controls the multiplication (spread) of the HIV virus in the body. This gives your immune system a great relief.
Also, when used correctly, this medicine can reduce the risk of passing the HIV virus to someone else. But it does not eliminate the risk completely. Therefore, it is important to continue to follow safe methods.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medication, he or she should give you a complete picture of your health. This is very important for your safety. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular:
- If you have heart disease or if anyone in your family has had it.
- If you have previously been addicted to drugs or alcohol .
- If you have had depression or other mental health conditions.
- If you have liver disease (e.g. hepatitis).
- If you have seizure disorders such as epilepsy .
- If you are currently taking any other medication (for another illness, painkillers, vitamins, Ayurvedic medicine).
- If you have had an allergic reaction to efavirenz or any other medicine or food.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
Do not hide this information from your doctor. The information you provide will determine the most appropriate and safest treatment for you.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to take it as prescribed.
- When to take: It is usually advised to take this medication before going to bed at night because you will not feel any side effects like dizziness while you are sleeping.
- How to take: This comes in the form of a capsule. You can swallow it whole with water. If you have difficulty swallowing, you can carefully open the capsule and mix the powder inside with a couple of teaspoons of food, such as yogurt, jelly, or applesauce. If you are giving it to a small child, you can also mix it with a little milk.
- Important note: If you mix it with food like this, you should take it within 30 minutes . Also, do not eat anything else for 2 hours after taking the medicine this way.
- Never skip a dose: This is the most important thing. If you skip a dose, you give the virus a chance to get stronger and become resistant to the medicine. If you do, the medicine may stop working later. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice, even if you feel better.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I forget to take a medicine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., it is only a few hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with Efavirenz
Efavirenz is a medication that can interact with other medications, so it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
| Never take these medications with Efavirenz. | |
|---|---|
| Disopyramide | Elbasvir; grazoprevir |
| Rifapentine | Voriconazole |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. | |
| Medicine for heart disease | Ex: Amiodarone |
| Some medicines for malaria | Ex: Artemether; lumefantrine |
| Antibiotics | Ex: Clarithromycin, Rifampin, Rifabutin |
| Female hormones and birth control pills/methods | Ex: Estrogens, Progestins |
| Medicine for high blood pressure | Ex: Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil |
| Medication for cholesterol | Ex: Simvastatin |
| Medication for mental illness | Conditions such as depression and anxiety |
| Antifungal | Ex: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole |
| Medicines for seizures | Ex: Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin |
| Other HIV medications, such as Methadone and Warfarin | Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. |
Things to be careful about when taking this medicine
- Regular medical checkups: See your doctor on schedule. It's essential to get things like blood work done.
- Serious skin reactions: Serious skin reactions may occur within a few weeks or months of starting this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you develop a rash along with symptoms such as fever or chills . These rashes may turn red or purple, then blister and the skin may peel off. Also, see a doctor right away if you have a rash along with swelling of the face, lips, or a lump in the neck or armpits.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up or sitting down quickly, especially if you are elderly. Drinking alcohol can increase these side effects.
- Birth control: This is very important. While you are taking Efavirenz, your birth control pills may not work as well . So, if you want to avoid having children, be sure to use an additional barrier method of birth control, such as a condom. Talk to your doctor about this for more information.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Efavirenz can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Skin allergies | Skin irritation, itching, blistering, sores inside the mouth, swelling of the face or lips. |
| Mental changes | Severe depression, strange thoughts, suicidal thoughts, extreme anger. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, extreme fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite. |
| Other serious symptoms | Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), inability to move or speak normally. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting | Difficulty sleeping, strange dreams |
| Dizziness, difficulty concentrating | Fat accumulation around the waist and back (weight gain) or thinning of the face, arms, and legs. |
Take-Home Message
- Efavirenz is a medicine that controls the HIV virus, but it is not a medicine that completely cures the disease.
- Do not skip the prescribed medication for any reason. Do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications (including Ayurvedic) you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe skin rash, changes in mental status, or symptoms of liver disease.
- Since the effectiveness of birth control pills may be reduced while taking this medication, it is essential to use an additional protective method, such as a condom.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, talk to your doctor about it openly.
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