Efavirenz User Reviews & Ratings

• GreyVS
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 23, 2016

Sustiva (efavirenz) for HIV Infection "The binder change several years ago caused internal bleeding, severe bloating, complete loss of appetite as well as liver, kidney & pancreas issues. It was so bad I was in bed 24/7 for several years. I had to change doctors to change the medication and everything improved immensely. The Mayo Clinic wrote about this reaction."

• Bayne
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 2, 2015

Sustiva (efavirenz) for HIV Infection "Was on it for years before I developed resistance to it. MUST be taken at night to minimize side effects. Bad depression, confusion, random crying spells, feeling helpless, suicidal thoughts (& no I've never had it prior or after I stopped this medication). It does get better as the med levels out but the first couple weeks are torture! In a grocery store I sat on the floor crying because 3 things on my list were on the same isle. I've never experienced anything like that in my life!"

• njric...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 26, 2016

Sustiva (efavirenz) for HIV Infection "Started on Atripla but after 3 months the dizziness and nausea was too much to bear. Changed to trivada and reduced to 400 mg sustiva and the side effects disappeared. Only slight lightheaded which resolved during the day. Sustiva works but 600 mg is too much. 400 mg was found to work just as well and with less side effects. The only problem is having to take three pills at once as sustiva only comes in 200 mg tabs. Encore study shows reduced dosage works just as well."

• The...
• January 8, 2012

Sustiva (efavirenz) for HIV Infection "This is my 4th day on Sustiva. I've experienced drowsiness, mental confusion, anxiety and sleeplessness. I have to get used to not eating before taking as eating prior to, only makes those symptoms worse. I've developed a habit of bumping into things and when I drive, I'm not driving as I usually do, it's a little bit over the road, so be cautious with heavy machinery. The symptoms usually die down within 2 hours of my awakening and I feel somewhat like my old self. Like I said, it's only been 4 days, so hopefully, these symptoms will subside as I continue to partake. I definitely do not recommend drinking anything other than water with this medicine. The effects are way too powerful. One last thing, be careful with your steps, I fell at work."

• mybad...
• July 18, 2015

For HIV Infection "4th month on this drug and i have never cried or think about killing myself, but yes, it really gets me depending on my mood i think. There are nights where i dont feel anything and others where i get drowsy, confused and cannot concentrate in anything. Some dreams can be really inmersive too."

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2009

Sustiva (efavirenz) for Nonoccupational Exposure "Upon starting Sustiva, I noticed that I felt very dizzy and somewhat drowsy, as if I had just drank 2 or 3 glasses of wine within about 30 minutess of taking the medication. Also, it gave a similar confusion feeling. After going to sleep - it is recommended that you take the medication on an empty stomach and just before going to bed, I woke up without any hangover, drowsiness, or dizziness the next morning about hours later. I did have a little bit of nausea, but nothing that eating didn't resolve."

• njric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 19, 2015

For HIV Infection "This drug makes me dizzy and light headed in about 5 hrs after. That is why that you take it at bedtime when you can and always on a empty stomach. The amount 600 mg in Atripla is not necessary for the same medical effect. The latest study in The Lancet, showed that 400 mg a day as working just as well as 600 mg with less side effects. Also CD4 counts are slightly improved on 400 mg vs 600 mg as well. I take 400 mg a day and I have experienced a marked improvement in being able to tolerate this drug and reduce my dizziness and light headed and possible nausea with the vertigo. I take this with one truvada a day. Reference: Lancet 2014; 383: 1474%u201382 Published Online February 10, 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(13)62187"

• Access...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2021

Sustiva (efavirenz) for HIV Infection "By far the worst experience of my life. Sustiva made me sweat profusely for 4 hours a day. At work was traumatizing. The non stop diarrhea was debilitating. Horrific night terrors every single night. Was a bad period of time. Really struggled with living, life didn't seem attainable. Thank goodness I lived with my wonderful partner who experienced same. We stayed home on the weekends and enjoyed life there."