Efavirenz Drug: Indication, Dosage, Precaution, Side Effect , Storage, Category Type and corresponding Brands - www.genericdrugscan.com

Efavirenz

pronunciation

pronounced as (e fa veer' ens)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Efavirenz is used along with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Efavirenz is in a class of medications called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although efavirenz does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other life-style changes may decrease the risk of transmitting (spreading) the HIV virus to other people.

How should this medicine be used?

Efavirenz comes as a capsule and as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with plenty of water on an empty stomach. Take efavirenz at around the same time every day. Taking efavirenz at bedtime may make side effects less bothersome. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take efavirenz exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Efavirenz controls HIV infection, but does not cure it. Continue to take efavirenz even if you feel well. Do not stop taking efavirenz without talking to your doctor. When your supply of efavirenz starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist. If you miss doses or stop taking efavirenz, your condition may become more difficult to treat.

What are the precautions to be followed?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to efavirenz or any other medications.
• do not take astemizole (Hismanal) (no longer available in the US); cisapride (Propulsid) (no longer available in the US); ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Germinal, Hydergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and pergolide (Permax); midazolam (Versed); triazolam (Halcion); or voriconazole (Vfend) while taking efavirenz.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetaminophen (Tylenol, others); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants; antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Lexxel, Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); chlorpheniramine in over-the-counter cold products; cholesterol-lowering medications (statins); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin, Prevpac); danazol (Danocrine); dexamethasone (Decadron); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); iron products; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for anxiety, mental illness, or pain; medications for HIV or AIDS such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz); indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra) and saquinavir ( Invirase); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); methotrexate (Rheumatrex); methadone (Dolophine); metronidazole (Flagyl); niacin (nicotinic acid); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), and piroxicam (Feldene); oral medications for diabetes such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Metaglip) and tolbutamide (Orinase); proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and pantoprazole (Protonix); quinidine (Quinidex); quinine; rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); sedatives; sertraline (Zoloft); sildenafil (Viagra); sleeping pills; sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); torsemide (Demadex); tranquilizers; troleandomycin (TAO); or zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially products that contain kava or St. John's wort.
• tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol; if you use or have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription medications; or if you have or have ever had seizures; high cholesterol; depression or other mental illness; or heart, liver,or pancreas disease.
• you should not become pregnant while taking efavirenz. You will have to have a negative pregnancy test before you begin taking this medication and use effective birth control during your treatment. Efavirenz may interfere with the action of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, or injections, so you should not use these as your only method of birth control during your treatment. You must use a barrier method of birth control (device that blocks sperm from entering the uterus such as a condom or a diaphragm) along with any other method of birth control you have chosen. Ask your doctor to help you choose a method of birth control that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking efavirenz, call your doctor. Efavirenz may harm the fetus.
• you should not breast-feed if you are infected with HIV or are taking efavirenz.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking efavirenz.
• you should know that efavirenz may make you drowsy, dizzy, or unable to concentrate. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking efavirenz. Alcohol can make the side effects from efavirenz worse.
• you should know that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body such as your breasts and upper back.
• you should know that efavirenz may cause changes in your thoughts, behavior, or mental health. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms while you are taking efavirenz: depression, thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so, angry or aggressive behavior, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), or loss of touch with reality. Be sure your family knows which symptoms may be serious so that they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• indigestion
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headache
• difficulty concentrating
• confusion
• forgetfulness
• nervousness
• strange thoughts
• abnormally happy mood
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• unusual dreams
• pain

• sore throat, cough, fever, chills, or other signs of infection
• rash
• itching
• blisters or sores on skin
• peeling skin
• fainting
• extreme tiredness
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• seizures

Efavirenz may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Drug Category/Class

• Anti-HIV Agents
• Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
• Direct Acting Antivirals
• Antivirals for Systemic Use
• Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 Inducers
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inhibitors
• CYP2B6 Inhibitors (strong)

Prescribed	For use in combination treatment of HIV infection (AIDS)
Weight :	315.675
Structure	Efavirenz
Formula	C14H9ClF3NO2

Efavirenz has 14 Brands listed

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