What is the most important information I should know about efavirenz?
Efavirenz may cause serious psychiatric symptoms including severe depression, suicidal
thoughts, aggression, extreme fear, or unusual behavior. Contact your doctor at once if you have
any of these side effects.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could
cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of
birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Do not take efavirenz with
astemizole (Hismanal),
bepridil (Vascor),
cisapride
(Propulsid),
pimozide (Orap), midazolam (Versed),
triazolam (Halcion),
voriconazole (Vfend),
or ergot medicines such as
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45), ergonovine (Ergotrate),
ergotamine
(Ergomar,
Cafergot,
Wigraine), or
methylergonovine (Methergine).
These drugs can cause life-threatening side effects if you use them while you are
taking efavirenz.
There are many other medicines that can interact with efavirenz, or make it
less effective. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with
you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your
condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or
medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should
remain under the care of a doctor.
Taking efavirenz will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through
unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing
HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine
needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.
What is efavirenz?
Efavirenz is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
cells from multiplying in your body.
Efavirenz is used to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS). Efavirenz is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Efavirenz may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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