Available as:
Indications
Efavir Capsule is used for:
HIV infection
Adult Dose
Oral
HIV infection
Adult: Combined with other antiretrovirals: 600 mg once daily. Dosing at bedtime recommended during 1st 2-4 wk of therapy to improve tolerability.
Hepatic impairment
Mild (Child-Pugh Class A): Dose adjustment not necessary; use caution
Moderate-to-severe (Child Pugh Class B or C): Not recommended
Child Dose
Oral
HIV infection
Child: Combined with other antiretrovirals: >3 yr,
10-14 kg: 200 mg;
15-19 kg: 250 mg;
20-24 kg: 300 mg;
25-32.4 kg: 350 mg;
32.5-39 kg: 400 mg;
>40 kg: 600 mg.
To be taken once daily.
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: No dosage adjustment needed
Administration
Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.
Contra Indications
Severe hepatic impairment; hypersensitivity; lactation.
Precautions
Mild to moderate liver disease; renal impairment. Monitor liver enzymes and cholesterol. Discontinue if severe skin rash or fever develops; known or suspected hepatitis B or infection. History of mental illness or seizures; elderly. Pregnancy. Children.
Lactation: It is not known whether efavirenz is excreted in milk. It should not be administered to nursing mothers. The CDC advises HIV-infected women not to breast-feed to avoid postnatal transmission of HIV.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Hormonal contraceptives; antibacterial e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin, clarithromycin; enzyme inducers. St. John's wort may decrease serum level. Ethanol (hepatic and CNS adverse effects).
Potentially Fatal: Life-threatening adverse effects when used with terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, midazolam, triazolam and ergot alkaloids.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Efavirenz :
>10%
Total cholesterol increased (20-40%),Diarrhea (3-14%, children up to 39%),HDL increased (25-35%),Dizziness (28.1%),Rash (5-26%),Fever (children 21%),Depression (19%),Insomnia (16.3%),Cough (children 16%),Vomiting (3-12%),Anxiety (2-13%),Nausea (2-12%)
1-10%
Neutropenia (2-10%),Pruitis (9%),Impaired concentration (8.3%),Transaminases increased (2-8%),Somnolence (7.0%),Abnormal dreams (6.2%),Amylase increased (6%),Hyperglycemia (2-5%),Dyspepsia (4%),Abdominal pain (2-3%),Anorexia (2%),Hallucinations (1.2%)
Mechanism of Action
Efavirenz, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with activity against HIV, blocks the RNA-dependent and DNA-dependent polymerase activities including HIV replication.
Note
Efavir 200mg Capsule manufactured by Cipla Ltd.. Its generic name is Efavirenz. Efavir is availble in Nepal.
Farmaco Nepal drug index information on Efavir Capsule is not intended for diagnosis, medical advice or treatment; neither intended to be a substitute for the exercise of professional judgment.