Efavir 600mg Tablet contains the active ingredient Efavirenz. It is an antiretroviral medicine that belongs to the class of medications called nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). It is used in combination with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by reducing the amount of the virus in the blood. It is used by adults, adolescents, and children three months of age and older. Although this medicine does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer
Do not take Efavir 600mg Tablet if you are allergic to efavirenz or any of the other ingredients of this medicine and if you have serious liver and heart disease. Inform your physician if you have liver diseases, heart problems, a family history of heart diseases, fits or seizures, and mental illness. Once you start taking this medicine, look for signs of f dizziness, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, skin rash, signs of inflammation or infection, bone problems, and abnormal dreaming. If you face any of these symptoms, report them to your doctor immediately.
Efavir 600mg Tablet is not recommended for children under 3 months or weighing less than 3.5 kg. This medicine's most common side effects are rash, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, and vomiting.
Uses of Efavir 600mg Tablet
Therapeutic Effects of Efavir 600mg Tablet
Efavir 600mg Tablet is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) of HIV-1. The action of this medicine is through noncompetitive inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV infection in the blood. This will strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of developing illnesses linked to HIV infection.
Interaction of Efavir 600mg Tablet with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional and vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Efavir 600mg Tablet and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Efavir 600mg Tablet
How to consume Efavir 600mg Tablet
It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Efavir 600mg Tablet, based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time. Taking the tablet on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime, is recommended. An empty stomach is commonly defined as 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.
Safety Advices for Efavir 600mg Tablet
Pregnancy
Do not take Efavir 600mg Tablet if you are pregnant because this may harm the unborn baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment. Use effective contraception during the treatment and for 12 weeks after the last dose.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Efavir 600mg Tablet because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during the treatment.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Efavir 600mg Tablet is safe to be administer in patients with lung diseases. Inform your physician if you have any lung diseases before initiating the therapy.
Liver
It is unsafe to take Efavir 600mg Tablet if you have liver problems. Dose adjustments are necessary for severe liver failure. Inform your physician if you have any liver diseases before initiating the treatment.
Alcohol
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Efavir 600mg Tablet. Inform your doctor about your drinking habits.
Driving
Efavir 600mg Tablet may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Driving or operating heavy machinery is unsafe if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Side Effects of Efavir 600mg Tablet
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Rash
- Itchy Skin
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness, headache
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
Serious
- Heart problems
- Severe skin rashes
- Liver injury
- Neurotoxicity
- Mental problems
- Sucicidal thoughts
Word of Advice
Do not stop using this medicine without talking to your doctor first. If you stop the medicine, even for a short time, the virus may become harder to treat. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. Swallow the capsule or tablet whole with water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby.
Birth control pills may not work while you are using Efavir 600mg Tablet, so do not use a hormone method as a form of birth control. Use a barrier method plus another type. Talk with your doctor about what choice is best for you. Your immune system may get stronger when you start taking an HIV medicine. This could cause a hidden infection in your body to become active. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in your health.
FAQs
Q 1. Can Efavir 600mg Tablet be discontinued abruptly?
Abruptly stopping Efavir 600mg Tablet without medical guidance is not recommended. Discontinuing this medicine or any antiretroviral medication without proper medical supervision can lead to viral rebound, decreased treatment effectiveness, and potential development of drug resistance. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to the treatment regimen.
Q 2. Can Efavir 600mg Tablet cause psychiatric side effects?
Efavir 600mg Tablet has been associated with psychiatric side effects, such as vivid dreams, insomnia, confusion, and mood changes. In some cases, it may lead to more severe psychiatric symptoms, including depression or suicidal thoughts. Individuals starting this medicine should be monitored for these side effects, and healthcare providers should be notified if any concerning symptoms arise.
Q 3. Does Efavir 600mg Tablet interact with other medications?
Yes, Efavir 600mg Tablet can interact with various medications, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and prescription medications. It is important to inform healthcare providers about all medications being taken to avoid potential interactions. Healthcare providers can assess drug interactions and adjust the treatment regimen accordingly.
Q 4. Can Efavir 600mg Tablet cure HIV/AIDS?
No, Efavir 600mg Tablet is not a cure for HIV/AIDS. It is an antiretroviral medication used to suppress the replication of the HIV virus and manage the progression of the disease. Continuous use of this medicine, in combination with other antiretroviral drugs, is necessary to control HIV infection.
Q 5. Can Efavir 600mg Tablet change the color of my urine?
No, Efavir 600mg Tablet does not typically change the color of urine. If you notice any significant changes in urine color or have concerns, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider.
Fact Box of Efavir 600mg Tablet
Molecule name: Efavirenz | Therapeutic class: Antiretroviral |
Pharmacological class: Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) | Indications: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) infection |