Sustiva (efavirenz) Disease Interactions

There are 3 disease interactions with Sustiva (efavirenz):

Increases in total cholesterol of 10% to 20% have been observed in some uninfected volunteers who were administered efavirenz. Modest elevations of serum triglycerides have also been reported. The effect of efavirenz on total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol has not been well-characterized. Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during efavirenz therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen.

Efavirenz is primarily metabolized by the liver. Patients with liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from efavirenz due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with efavirenz should be administered cautiously in patients with liver disease. In addition, elevations in serum transaminases to greater than five times the upper limit of normal have occurred during therapy with efavirenz, most often in patients with a prior history of Hepatitis B and/or C. Monitoring of liver function tests is recommended in these patients.

During clinical trials, there have been infrequent reports of delusions and inappropriate behavior associated with the use of efavirenz, predominantly in patients with a history of mental illness or substance abuse. Severe acute depression, including suicide attempts and suicidal ideation, has also been reported but was not limited to efavirenz treated patients. Therapy with efavirenz should be administered cautiously in patients with a current or past history of psychiatric illness, emotional instability, or substance abuse. If symptoms develop or worsen during treatment, discontinuation of efavirenz may be necessary.

You should also know about...

Sustiva (efavirenz) drug Interactions

There are 290 drug interactions with Sustiva (efavirenz)

Sustiva (efavirenz) food/lifestyle Interactions

There is 1 food/lifestyle interaction with Sustiva (efavirenz)

See also...

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2009 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.