Sustiva (Efavirenz) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Sustiva

HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications »

Entry Inhibitors (including Fusion Inhibitors) and CCR5 Co-receptor Antagonist

Entry Inhibitors
Entry inhibitors block HIV entry into CD4+ cells.

Fusion inhibitors
The only drug in this class is T-20, which is administered as a twice daily subcutaneous injection. The most common side effect is redness and pain at the site of injection. Rarely, infection can occur at the injection site. There also are reports of generalized allergic reactions.

CCR5 antagonist
Although there were some early concerns of liver inflammation for drugs in this class, MVC appeared to be well tolerated in clinical trials without any specific toxicities attributable to the drug. However, it is a new drug in a new class and the first to actually target the cell. For these reasons, longer follow-up from clinical trials and those followed in the clinic will be very important for assessing the overall safety of the...

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Sustiva Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (Sustiva)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Sustiva)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose can cause confusion, lack of balance or coordination, severe mood or behavior changes, or thoughts of suicide.

What should I avoid while taking efavirenz (Sustiva)?

Efavirenz can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of efavirenz.

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by efavirenz. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.

Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What other drugs will affect efavirenz (Sustiva)?

There are many other medicines that can interact with efavirenz, or make it less effective. Before taking efavirenz, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
itraconazole (Sporanox);
sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
St. John's wort;
voriconazole (Vfend);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
a cholesterol medication such as Lipitor or Zocor;
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
heart or blood pressure medications such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
other HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase); or
seizure medications such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol).

This list is not complete and there are other drugs that can interact with efavirenz. 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.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about efavirenz.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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