Efavirenz (Systemic)
Brand Names : Sustiva
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For efavirenz, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to efavirenz. Also tell your health care professional if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy - Efavirenz has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have found that it causes birth defects and other
problems. A pregnancy test is recommended before starting treatment with efavirenz.
In addition, it is recommended that women with the potential to become pregnant
use two methods of contraception. One method of contraception should be a
reliable barrier contraceptive, such as condoms, and the other method should
be an oral or other hormone contraceptive. Before taking efavirenz, make sure
your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether efavirenz passes into the
breast milk. However, breast-feeding is not recommended in patients with HIV
infection because of the risk of passing the virus on to the nursing infant.
Children - Children have a higher risk of developing a rash,
which is sometimes severe, while taking this medicine. Your doctor may suggest
that an additional medicine, an antihistamine, be taken to prevent a rash
from occurring. The appearance of a rash should be reported to your doctor
as soon as possible.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of efavirenz in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is important that you inform your health care professional of any prescription
or nonprescription (OTC) medicine you are taking, especially if you are taking
any of the following:
-
Amprenavir (e.g., Agenerase) - Efavirenz may decrease the amount
of this medicine in the body
-
Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal) or
-
Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) - Efavirenz may increase the amount
of these medicines in the body, which may cause cardiac arrythmias (irregular
heartbeat)
-
Ergot derivatives (e.g., Gerimal, Hydergine, Hydergine LC, Ergotrate,
Methergine, Bellergal-S) - Efavirenz may increase the amount of these
medicines in the body, which could lead to breathing problems
-
Indinavir (e.g., Crixivan) - Efavirenz may decrease the amount
of this medicine in the body
-
Midazolam (e.g., Versed) or
-
Triazolam (e.g., Halcion) - Efavirenz may increase the amount
of these medicines in the body, which may lead to severe drowsiness
-
Rifabutin (e.g., Mycobutin) - Efavirenz may decrease the amount
of this medicine in the body
-
Ritonavir (e.g., Norvir) - Taking efavirenz with this medicine
may increase the chance of side effects
-
Saquinavir (e.g., Invirase) - Efavirenz may decrease the amount
of this medicine in the body
-
Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Efavirenz may either increase or
decrease the amount of warfarin in the body
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of efavirenz. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Hepatitis B or C (history of) or
-
Liver disease - Efavirenz may cause unwanted effects in the liver
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