In this Article

• What is efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• What are the possible side effects of efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• What is the most important information I should know about efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• How should I take efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Sustiva)?
• What happens if I overdose (Sustiva)?
• What should I avoid while taking efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• What other drugs will affect efavirenz (Sustiva)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Sustiva)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Sustiva)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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 may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of efavirenz.

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

What other drugs will affect efavirenz (Sustiva)?

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.

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:

• bupropion (Aplenzin, Budeprion, Wellbutrin, Zyban);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• itraconazole (Sporanox), posaconazole (Noxafil);
• maraviroc (Selzentry);
• sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
• St. John's wort;
• voriconazole (Vfend);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• 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).

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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