Symfi Lo and Alcohol/Food Interactions

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food increases the plasma concentrations of efavirenz and may increase the frequency of adverse reactions. According to the product labeling, administration of efavirenz capsules (600 mg single dose) with a high-fat/high-caloric meal (894 kcal, 54 g fat, 54% calories from fat) or a reduced-fat/normal-caloric meal (440 kcal, 2 g fat, 4% calories from fat) was associated with mean increases of 39% and 51% in efavirenz peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and 22% and 17% in systemic exposure (AUC), respectively, compared to administration under fasted conditions. For efavirenz tablets, administration of a single 600 mg dose with a high-fat/high-caloric meal (approximately 1000 kcal, 500-600 kcal from fat) resulted in a 79% increase in mean Cmax and a 28% increase in mean AUC of efavirenz relative to administration under fasted conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Efavirenz should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms such as dizziness, insomnia, impaired concentration, somnolence, abnormal dreams and hallucinations, although they often resolve on their own after the first 2 to 4 weeks of therapy . Patients should be advised of the potential for additive central nervous system effects when efavirenz is used concomitantly with alcohol or psychoactive drugs, and to avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

NRTIs - pancreatitis

The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, didanosine, stavudine, and lamivudine, may cause pancreatitis. The incidence is generally low but is up to 7% with didanosine, and up to 18% in pediatric patients given lamivudine. Patients with a history of or known risk factors for pancreatitis (such as alcohol abuse or hypertriglyceridemia) should be monitored closely during therapy with these agents. Therapy should be discontinued at the first signs/symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hyperamylasemia with dysglycemia, rising triglycerides, decreasing serum calcium), and preferably permanently discontinued if clinical pancreatitis develops.

efavirenz - cholesterol

Increases in total cholesterol and triglycerides have resulted during treatment with efavirenz. Lipid levels monitoring should be performed before starting treatment and at periodic intervals during therapy.