Efavirenz Sandoz
Efavirenz Sandoz is an antiviral medicine that helps fight HIV infection by reducing the amount of virus in the blood for adults and children aged 3 years and older.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
600 mg
Active Ingredient
Efavirenz
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
Adults and children weighing at least 40 kg should take 600 mg once a day.
Method
Take one tablet by mouth, whole with water, on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. An empty stomach means 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The tablet can be divided if hard to swallow.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 600 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Rash
- •Abnormal dreams
- •Difficulty concentrating
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Sleep problems
- •Drowsiness
- •Coordination or balance problems
- •Abdominal pain
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Itching
- •Fatigue
- •Anxious or depressed mood
- •Increased liver enzymes in blood (detected by tests)
- •Increased triglyceride levels in blood (detected by tests)
RARE
- •Nervousness
- •Forgetfulness
- •Confusion
- •Seizures
- •Unusual thoughts
- •Blurred vision
- •Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- •Abdominal pain due to pancreas inflammation
- •Severe allergic skin reactions (e.g., severe rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- •Yellowing of skin or eyes, itchy skin or abdominal pain due to liver inflammation
- •Male breast enlargement
- •Aggressive behavior
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things not real), psychosis, mania (overactivity), paranoia, suicidal thoughts, catatonia (being still and silent), suicide attempts, delusions
- •Ringing or buzzing in ears (tinnitus)
- •Tremor (shaking)
- •Redness, flushing
- •Increased cholesterol levels in blood (detected by tests)
- •Itchy rash due to sun exposure
- •Liver failure, in some cases leading to death or liver transplant
- •Unexplained anxiety, difficulty thinking clearly or rationally
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to efavirenz or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe liver disease.
- Do not take if you have severe heart problems, including changes in heart rhythm, slow heartbeat, a family history of sudden heart death, or a condition called QT prolongation.
- Do not take if your doctor has told you that your blood potassium or magnesium levels are too high or too low.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental illness, depression, or substance abuse. Get help right away if you feel depressed, think about suicide, or have strange thoughts.
Show 6 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have had seizures or are taking medicines for epilepsy.
- Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a severe rash with blisters or fever.
- Contact your doctor if you experience confusion, slow thinking, slow movements, delusions, or hallucinations. These can happen months or years after starting treatment.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs of inflammation or infection.
- Contact your doctor if you experience joint stiffness, pain in joints (especially hip, knee, shoulder), or difficulty moving, as these could be signs of bone problems.
- This medicine may cause dizziness, trouble concentrating, and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you have these symptoms.