Sustiva Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (eh-FAV-er-enz)
Sustiva Oral Uses
This medication is usually used with at least 2 other medications to help control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (e.g., new infections, cancers). Efavirenz belongs to a class of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Efavirenz is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (e.g., sharing used needles).
How To Use Sustiva Oral
Read the Patient Information provided by your pharmacist before you start using efavirenz and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication with a glass (4-8 ounces or 120-240 milliliters) of water.
Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects. If HIV becomes resistant to this medication, it might also be resistant to other HIV medications.
