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Efavir 600 mg Tablet
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Efavir 600 mg Tablet

Manufactured byCipla Ltd.
ContainsEfavirenz
Description
Efavir 600 mg Tablet is an antiviral medicine. It is used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (a condition that occurs when the virus attacks the immune system and interferes with your body's ability to fight infections or diseases). Efavir 600 mg Tablet will not cure HIV infection, but it will delay the progression of a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related conditions. This medicine works by preventing the virus from multiplying. Efavir 600 mg Tablet has some side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, headache, tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, etc. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a longer time or worsen. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it. Efavir 600 mg Tablet is taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after a meal. It is usually taken preferably at bedtime to make some of the side effects less bothersome. Take it in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose as it may increase the risk of side effects. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a consistent level of this medicine in your blood. Avoid discontinuing this medication without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition. Efavir 600 mg Tablet may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for use in children less than three months of age as the safety and efficacy data are not available. Inform your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney problems or any other health conditions. Also, inform your doctor about all your ongoing medications to avoid undesired effects. Efavir 600 mg Tablet is unsafe for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. If you have an HIV infection, it is not recommended to breastfeed, as the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may transfer to the baby through breastmilk.
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Side effectsConcernsUsageRelated products

Substitutes

List of substitutes for Efavir 600 mg Tablet

Efcure 600 mg Tablet
Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Efferven 600 mg Tablet
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
Evirenz 600 mg Tablet
Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
Efamat Tablet
Mylan Pharmaceuticals

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Efavir 600 mg Tablet

  • Depression
  • Itching and skin rash
  • Headache
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Seizures

Uses of Efavir 600 mg Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • HIV infection
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The amount of time required for Efavir 600 mg Tablet to show its action is not clinically established.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The amount of time for which Efavir 600 mg Tablet remains active in your body is not clinically established.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Efavir 600 mg Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Efavir 600 mg Tablet is unsafe for use during pregnancy. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    Efavir 600 mg Tablet is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Also, women with HIV infection are not recommended to breastfeed as the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be passed to the baby through breastmilk.

Allergy

Avoid taking Efavir 600 mg Tablet if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Severe liver disease

Efavir 600 mg Tablet is not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems, as this medicine may increase the risk of liver toxicity and further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Efavir 600 mg Tablet is unsafe for use during pregnancy. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

Efavir 600 mg Tablet is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Also, women with HIV infection are not recommended to breastfeed as the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be passed to the baby through breastmilk.
General warnings

Fat redistribution

Efavir 600 mg Tablet may cause an increase or decrease in body fat or the body fat may move to different parts of the body such as the breasts, upper back, neck, and around the stomach. Closely monitor your body weight while you are taking this medicine.

Immune reconstitution syndrome

Changes in your immune system can occur when you start taking Efavir 600 mg Tablet. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. It may cause an exaggerated response making the symptoms of infection worse. Inform your doctor if you develop any new symptoms after starting treatment with Efavir 600 mg Tablet.

Use in children

Efavir 600 mg Tablet is not recommended for use in children below three months and weighing less than 3.5 kg.

Other medicines

Efavir 600 mg Tablet may interact with many other medicines and cause side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines, including herbs and supplements, before beginning treatment with this medicine.

Seizures

Seizures (fits) are uncontrolled movement and behaviour due to changes in electric activity in your brain. Efavir 600 mg Tablet should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures as it may further trigger seizures.

Driving vehicles and operating machines

Efavir 600 mg Tablet may cause drowsiness and dizziness in some cases. Hence, avoid activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles and operating machines if you experience such symptoms.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Efavir 600 mg Tablet as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Never take more than the recommended dose of Efavir 600 mg Tablet. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Citalopram

Fluconazole

Amiodarone

Ciprofloxacin

Azithromycin

Disease interactions

Liver Disease

Efavir 600 mg Tablet should be used with extreme caution if you have mild to moderate liver problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your liver function if necessary during treatment with this medicine.

Increase in cholesterol levels

Efavir 600 mg Tablet should be used with caution as it may cause an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat) levels in the body. Your doctor may suggest blood tests for periodic monitoring of your cholesterol and triglycerides levels while you are taking this medicine.

CNS disorders

Use of Efavir 600 mg Tablet may cause depression and suicidal thoughts. Hence this medicine should be used with extreme caution if you have a history of mental problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Inform your doctor if you notice any change in mood and behaviour or develop thoughts of self-harm.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Efavir 600 mg Tablet exactly as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any change in mood or behaviour or develop suicidal thoughts. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function and lipid (fats) levels during treatment with this medicine. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines, as this medicine can make you feel dizzy or drowsy Taking Efavir 600 mg Tablet will not prevent the transmission of HIV to others. Hence, avoid having unprotected sexual intercourse or sharing razors or toothbrushes.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Efavir 600 mg Tablet works by stopping the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying. This helps in slowing down the progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other HIV-related illnesses.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), Antiviral agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Efavirenz: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699004.html>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SUSTIVA- efavirenz capsule, gelatin coatedSUSTIVA- efavirenz capsule, gelatin coatedSUSTIVA- efavirenz tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=32d6371e-ba56-4294-b732-6d43627c5c47>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Efavirenz 600mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7070/smpc>

Yee, J. and Preuss, C., 2021. Efavirenz. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 23 November 2021].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542316/#article-20920.s3>
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Information on this page was last updated on 24 Jun 2022

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