Efavirenz
600 mg · Tablet, Film Coated
- Prescription only
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Non-Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
- Active substance
- Efavirenz
- Made by
- Cipla USA Inc.
- Source
- Official label
Quoted from the official source. Not yet reviewed by Mediclarum — the leaflet in your pack is authoritative.
At a glance
Quoted from the official label · 2024-03-31
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Non-Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
- Efavirenz tablets are a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in
Adults The recommended dosage of efavirenz is 600 mg orally, once daily, in combination with a protease inhibitor and/or nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Full directions ↓Efavirenz is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the components of this product.
All warnings ↓- Prescription only
- FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-02
Every line above is selected, not written, from the official label. Nothing is reworded. DailyMed
What it is for
- Efavirenz tablets are a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in
- adults and in pediatric patients at least 3 months old and weighing at least 3.5kg.
- ( 1 ) Efavirenz in combination with other antiretroviral agents is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in
- adults and in pediatric patients at least 3 months old and weighing at least 3.5 kg.
From the official label · 2024-03-31 · DailyMed
How it works
From this product’s own US prescribing label.
Efavirenz is an antiviral drug [see Microbiology ( 12.4 ) ].
Studies in humans and in vitro studies using human liver microsomes have demonstrated that efavirenz is principally metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system to hydroxylated metabolites with subsequent glucuronidation of these hydroxylated metabolites.
Renal impairment: The pharmacokinetics of efavirenz have not been studied in patients with renal insufficiency; however, less than 1% of efavirenz is excreted unchanged in the urine, so the impact of renal impairment on efavirenz elimination should be minimal.
Quoted from the prescribing label, sections “Mechanism of Action” and “Pharmacokinetics”. DailyMed · 2024-03-31
Do not take it if
- Efavirenz is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the components of this product.
- Coadministration of efavirenz with elbasvir and grazoprevir is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].
- Patients with previously demonstrated hypersensitivity (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or toxic skin eruptions) to any of the components of this product.
- ( 4 ) Coadministration of efavirenz with elbasvir/grazoprevir.
Quoted from the official label, section “Contraindications”.
How to take it
These directions are for this exact strength and form. Another one is different.
- Efavirenz should be taken orally once daily on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.
- ( 2 ) Recommended adult dose: 600 mg.
- ( 2.2 ) With voriconazole, increase voriconazole maintenance dose to 400 mg every 12 hours and decrease efavirenz dose to 300 mg once daily using the capsule formulation.
- ( 2.2 ) With rifampin, increase efavirenz dose to 800 mg once daily for patients weighing 50 kg or more.
- ( 2.2 ) Pediatric dosing is based on weight.
- ( 2.3 )
- 2.1 Hepatic Function Monitor hepatic function prior to and during treatment with efavirenz tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )].
- Efavirenz tablets are not recommended in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B or C) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] .
- 2.2
- Adults The recommended dosage of efavirenz is 600 mg orally, once daily, in combination with a protease inhibitor and/or nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
- It is recommended that efavirenz be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.
- The increased efavirenz concentrations observed following administration of efavirenz with food may lead to an increase in frequency of adverse reactions [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
- Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) , Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) , and Patient Counseling Information ( 17 )].
- Efavirenz tablets should be swallowed intact with liquid.
- Concomitant Antiretroviral Therapy Efavirenz must be given in combination with other antiretroviral medications [see Indications and Usage ( 1 ) , Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) , Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) , and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
- Dosage Adjustment If efavirenz is coadministered with voriconazole, the voriconazole maintenance dose should be increased to 400 mg every 12 hours and the efavirenz dose should be decreased to 300 mg once daily using the capsule formulation.
- Efavirenz tablets must not be broken [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 , Table 5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 , Tables 7 and 8 )] .
- If efavirenz is coadministered with rifampin to patients weighing 50 kg or more, an increase in the dose of efavirenz to 800 mg once daily is recommended [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 , Table 5 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 , Table 8 )].
- 2.3 Pediatric Patients It is recommended that efavirenz be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.
- Table 1 describes the recommended dose of efavirenz for pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
- The recommended dosage of efavirenz for pediatric patients weighing 40 kg or greater is 600 mg once daily.
- Table 1: Efavirenz Dosing in Pediatric Patients b Tablets must not be crushed.
- Patient Body Weight Efavirenz Daily Dose Number of Tablets b and Strength to Administer at least 40 kg 600 mg one 600 mg tablet
Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.
Other warnings
- QTc prolongation:
- Consider alternatives to efavirenz in patients taking other medications with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes or in patients at higher risk of Torsade de Pointes.
- ( 5.2 ) Do not use as a single agent or add on as a sole agent to a failing regimen.
- Consider potential for cross-resistance when choosing other agents.
- ( 5.3 ) Not recommended with ATRIPLA, which contains efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, unless needed for dose adjustment when coadministered with rifampin.
- ( 5.4 ) Serious psychiatric symptoms:
- Immediate medical evaluation is recommended for serious psychiatric symptoms such as severe depression or suicidal ideation.
- ( 5.5 , 17 ) Nervous system symptoms (NSS):
- NSS are frequent and usually begin 1-2 days after initiating therapy and resolve in 2-4 weeks.
- Dosing at bedtime may improve tolerability.
- NSS are not predictive of onset of psychiatric symptoms.
- ( 5.6 , 6.1 , 17 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity:
- Avoid administration in the first trimester of pregnancy as fetal harm may occur.
- ( 5.7 , 8.1 ) Hepatotoxicity:
- Monitor liver function tests before and during treatment in patients with underlying hepatic disease, including hepatitis B or C coinfection, marked transaminase elevations, or who are taking medications associated with liver toxicity.
- Among reported cases of hepatic failure, a few occurred in patients with no pre-existing hepatic disease.
- ( 5.9 , 6.1 , 8.6 ) Rash:
- Rash usually begins within 1-2 weeks after initiating therapy and resolves within 4 weeks.
- Discontinue if severe rash develops.
- ( 5.8 , 6.1 , 17 ) Convulsions: Use caution in patients with a history of seizures.
- ( 5.10 ) Lipids: Total cholesterol and triglyceride elevations.
- Monitor before therapy and periodically thereafter.
- ( 5.11 ) Immune reconstitution syndrome:
- May necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
- ( 5.12 ) Redistribution/accumulation of body fat:
- Observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
- ( 5.13 , 17 )
- 5.1 Drug Interactions Efavirenz plasma concentrations may be altered by substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of CYP3A.
- 5.2 QTc Prolongation QTc prolongation has been observed with the use of efavirenz [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 , 7.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )].
- Consider alternatives to efavirenz when coadministered with a drug with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes or when administered to patients at higher risk of Torsade de Pointes.
- 5.3 Resistance Efavirenz must not be used as a single agent to treat HIV-1 infection or added on as a sole agent to a failing regimen.
- Resistant virus emerges rapidly when efavirenz is administered as monotherapy.
- The choice of new antiretroviral agents to be used in combination with efavirenz should take into consideration the potential for viral cross-resistance.
- 5.4 Coadministration with Related Products Coadministration of efavirenz with ATRIPLA (efavirenz 600 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) is not recommended unless needed for dose adjustment (e.g., with rifampin), since efavirenz is one of its active ingredients.
- 5.5 Psychiatric Symptoms Serious psychiatric adverse experiences have been reported in patients treated with efavirenz.
- In controlled trials of 1008 patients treated with regimens containing efavirenz for a mean of 2.1 years and 635 patients treated with control regimens for a mean of 1.5 years, the frequency (regardless of causality) of specific serious psychiatric events among patients who received efavirenz or control regimens, respectively, were severe depression (2.4%, 0.9%), suicidal ideation (0.7%, 0.3%), nonfatal suicide attempts (0.5%, 0), aggressive behavior (0.4%, 0.5%), paranoid reactions (0.4%, 0.3%), and manic reactions (0.2%, 0.3%).
- When psychiatric symptoms similar to those noted above were combined and evaluated as a group in a multifactorial analysis of data from Study 006, treatment with efavirenz was associated with an increase in the occurrence of these selected psychiatric symptoms.
- Other factors associated with an increase in the occurrence of these psychiatric symptoms were history of injection drug use, psychiatric history, and receipt of psychiatric medication at study entry; similar associations were observed in both the efavirenz and control treatment groups.
- In Study 006, onset of new serious psychiatric symptoms occurred throughout the study for both efavirenz-treated and control-treated patients.
- One percent of efavirenz-treated patients discontinued or interrupted treatment because of one or more of these selected psychiatric symptoms.
- There have also been occasional postmarketing reports of death by suicide, delusions, and psychosis-like behavior although a causal relationship to the use of efavirenz cannot be determined from these reports.
- Postmarketing cases of catatonia have also been reported and may be associated with increased efavirenz exposure.
- Patients with serious psychiatric adverse experiences should seek immediate medical evaluation to assess the possibility that the symptoms may be related to the use of efavirenz, and if so, to determine whether the risks of continued therapy outweigh the benefits [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) ] .
- 5.6 Nervous System Symptoms Fifty-three percent (531/1008) of patients receiving efavirenz in controlled trials reported central nervous system symptoms (any grade, regardless of causality) compared to 25% (156/635) of patients receiving control regimens [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , Table 3 ) ] .
- These symptoms included, but were not limited to, dizziness (28.1% of the 1008 patients), insomnia (16.3%), impaired concentration (8.3%), somnolence (7.0%), abnormal dreams (6.2%), and hallucinations (1.2%).
- These symptoms were severe in 2.0% of patients; and 2.1% of patients discontinued therapy as a result.
- These symptoms usually begin during the first or second day of therapy and generally resolve after the first 2-4 weeks of therapy.
- After 4 weeks of therapy, the prevalence of nervous system symptoms of at least moderate severity ranged from 5% to 9% in patients treated with regimens containing efavirenz and from 3% to 5% in patients treated with a control regimen.
- Patients should be informed that these common symptoms were likely to improve with continued therapy and were not predictive of subsequent onset of the less frequent psychiatric symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ].
- Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of these nervous system symptoms [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 ) ] .
- Analysis of long-term data from Study 006 (median follow-up 180 weeks, 102 weeks, and 76 weeks for patients treated with efavirenz + zidovudine + lamivudine, efavirenz + indinavir, and indinavir + zidovudine + lamivudine, respectively) showed that, beyond 24 weeks of therapy, the incidences of new-onset nervous system symptoms among efavirenz-treated patients were generally similar to those in the indinavir-containing control arm.
- Late-onset neurotoxicity, including ataxia and encephalopathy (impaired consciousness, confusion, psychomotor slowing, psychosis, delirium), may occur months to years after beginning efavirenz therapy.
- Some events of late-onset neurotoxicity have occurred in patients with CYP2B6 genetic polymorphisms which are associated with increased efavirenz levels despite standard dosing of efavirenz.
- Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of serious neurologic adverse experiences should be evaluated promptly to assess the possibility that these events may be related to efavirenz use, and whether discontinuation of efavirenz is warranted.
- Patients receiving efavirenz should be alerted to the potential for additive central nervous system effects when efavirenz is used concomitantly with alcohol or psychoactive drugs.
- Patients who experience central nervous system symptoms such as dizziness, impaired concentration, and/or drowsiness should
- 5.7 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Efavirenz may cause fetal harm when administered during the first trimester to a pregnant woman.
- Advise females of reproductive potential who are receiving efavirenz to
- avoid pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 and 8.3 )] .
- 5.8 Rash In controlled clinical trials, 26% (266/1008) of adult patients treated with 600 mg efavirenz experienced new-onset skin rash compared with 17% (111/635) of those treated in control groups [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )].
- Rash associated with blistering, moist desquamation, or ulceration occurred in 0.9% (9/1008) of patients treated with efavirenz.
- The incidence of Grade 4 rash (e.g., erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome) in adult patients treated with efavirenz in all studies and expanded access was 0.1%.
- Rashes are usually mild-to-moderate maculopapular skin eruptions that occur within the first 2 weeks of initiating therapy with efavirenz (median time to onset of rash in
- adults was 11 days) and, in most patients continuing therapy with efavirenz, rash resolves within 1 month (median duration, 16 days).
- The discontinuation rate for rash in adult clinical trials was 1.7% (17/1008).
- Rash was reported in 59 of 182 pediatric patients (32%) treated with efavirenz [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] .
- Two pediatric patients experienced Grade 3 rash (confluent rash with fever, generalized rash), and four patients had Grade 4 rash (erythema multiforme).
- The median time to onset of rash in pediatric patients was 28 days (range 3-1642 days).
- Prophylaxis with appropriate antihistamines before initiating therapy with efavirenz in pediatric patients should be considered.
- Efavirenz can generally be reinitiated in patients interrupting therapy because of rash.
- Efavirenz should be discontinued in patients developing severe rash associated with blistering, desquamation, mucosal involvement, or fever.
- Appropriate antihistamines and/or corticosteroids may improve the tolerability and hasten the resolution of rash.
- For patients who have had a life-threatening cutaneous reaction (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome), alternative therapy should be considered [see Contraindications ( 4 ) ] .
- 5.9 Hepatotoxicity Postmarketing cases of hepatitis, including fulminant hepatitis progressing to liver failure requiring transplantation or resulting in death, have been reported in patients treated with efavirenz.
- Reports have included patients with underlying hepatic disease, including coinfection with hepatitis B or C, and patients without pre-existing hepatic disease or other identifiable risk factors.
- Careful monitoring is recommended for patients with mild hepatic impairment receiving efavirenz. [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )].
- Monitoring of liver enzymes before and during treatment is recommended for all patients [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] .
- Consider discontinuing efavirenz in patients with persistent elevations of serum transaminases to greater than five times the upper limit of the normal range.
- Discontinue efavirenz if elevation of serum transaminases is accompanied by clinical signs or symptoms of hepatitis or hepatic decompensation.
- 5.10 Convulsions Convulsions have been observed in adult and pediatric patients receiving efavirenz, generally in the presence of known medical history of seizures [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.2 ) ] .
- Caution should be taken in any patient with a history of seizures.
- Patients who are receiving concomitant anticonvulsant medications primarily metabolized by the liver, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, may require periodic monitoring of plasma levels [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) ] .
- 5.11 Lipid Elevations Treatment with efavirenz has resulted in increases in the concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) ] .
- Cholesterol and triglyceride testing should be performed before initiating efavirenz therapy and at periodic intervals during therapy.
- 5.12 Immune Reconstitution Syndrome Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including efavirenz.
- During the initial phase of combination antiretroviral treatment, patients whose immune system responds may develop an inflammatory response to indolent or residual opportunistic infections (such as Mycobacterium avium infection, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia [PCP], or tuberculosis), which may necessitate further evaluation and treatment.
- Autoimmune disorders (such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis) have also been reported to occur in the setting of immune reconstitution; however, the time to onset is more variable, and can occur many months after initiation of treatment.
- 5.13 Fat Redistribution Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and "cushingoid appearance" have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
- The mechanism and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown.
Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to efavirenz during pregnancy.
- Physicians are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry at 1-800-258-4263.
- Risk Summary There are retrospective case reports of neural tube defects in infants whose mothers were exposed to efavirenz-containing regimens in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Prospective pregnancy data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry are not sufficient to adequately assess this risk.
- Available data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry show no difference in the risk of overall major birth defects compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP).
- Although a causal relationship has not been established between exposure to efavirenz in the first trimester and neural tube defects, similar malformations have been observed in studies conducted in monkeys at doses similar to the human dose.
- In addition, fetal and embryonic toxicities occurred in rats, at a dose ten times less than the human exposure at recommended clinical dose.
- Because of the potential risk of neural tube defects, efavirenz should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
- Data Human Data There are retrospective postmarketing reports of findings consistent with neural tube defects, including meningomyelocele, all in infants of mothers exposed to efavirenz-containing regimens in the first trimester.
- Based on prospective reports from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) of approximately 1000 live births following exposure to efavirenz-containing regimens (including over 800 live births exposed in the first trimester), there was no difference between efavirenz and overall birth defects compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program.
- As of the interim APR report issued December 2014, the prevalence of birth defects following first-trimester exposure was 2.3% (95% CI:
- 1.4%-3.6%).
- One of these prospectively reported defects with first-trimester exposure was a neural tube defect.
- A single case of anophthalmia with first-trimester exposure to efavirenz has also been prospectively reported.
- This case also included severe oblique facial clefts and amniotic banding, which have a known association with anophthalmia.
- Animal Data Effects of efavirenz on embryo-fetal development have been studied in three nonclinical species (cynomolgus monkeys, rats, and rabbits).
- In monkeys, efavirenz 60 mg/kg/day was administered to pregnant females throughout pregnancy (gestation days 20 through 150).
- The maternal systemic drug exposures (AUC) were 1.3 times the exposure in humans at the recommended clinical dose (600 mg/day), with fetal umbilical venous drug concentrations approximately 0.7 times the maternal values.
- Three of 20 fetuses/infants had one or more malformations; there were no malformed fetuses or infants from placebo-treated mothers.
- The malformations that occurred in these three monkey fetuses included anencephaly and unilateral anophthalmia in one fetus, microphthalmia in a second, and cleft palate in the third.
- There was no NOAEL (no observable adverse effect level) established for this study because only one dosage was evaluated.
- In rats, efavirenz was administered either during organogenesis (gestation days 7 to 18) or from gestation day 7 through lactation day 21 at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day.
- Administration of 200 mg/kg/day in rats was associated with increase in the incidence of early resorptions; and doses 100 mg/kg/day and greater were associated with early neonatal mortality.
- The AUC at the NOAEL (50 mg/kg/day) in this rat study was 0.1 times that in humans at the recommended clinical dose.
- Drug concentrations in the milk on lactation day 10 were approximately 8 times higher than those in maternal plasma.
- In pregnant rabbits, efavirenz was neither embryo lethal nor teratogenic when administered at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day over the period of organogenesis (gestation days 6 through 18).
- The AUC at the NOAEL (75 mg/kg/day) in rabbits was 0.4 times that in humans at the recommended clinical dose.
- IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Breastfeeding not recommended.
- ( 8.2 ) Females and Males of Reproductive Potential:
- Pregnancy testing and contraception are recommended.
- ( 8.3 ) Hepatic impairment:
- Efavirenz is not recommended for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
- Use caution in patients with mild hepatic impairment.
- ( 8.6 ) Pediatric patients : The incidence of rash was higher than in adults.
- ( 5.8 , 6.2 , 8.4 )
- 8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to efavirenz during pregnancy.
- Physicians are encouraged to register patients by calling the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry at 1-800-258-4263.
- Risk Summary There are retrospective case reports of neural tube defects in infants whose mothers were exposed to efavirenz-containing regimens in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Prospective pregnancy data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry are not sufficient to adequately assess this risk.
- Available data from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry show no difference in the risk of overall major birth defects compared to the background rate for major birth defects of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP).
- Although a causal relationship has not been established between exposure to efavirenz in the first trimester and neural tube defects, similar malformations have been observed in studies conducted in monkeys at doses similar to the human dose.
- In addition, fetal and embryonic toxicities occurred in rats, at a dose ten times less than the human exposure at recommended clinical dose.
- Because of the potential risk of neural tube defects, efavirenz should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
- Data Human Data There are retrospective postmarketing reports of findings consistent with neural tube defects, including meningomyelocele, all in infants of mothers exposed to efavirenz-containing regimens in the first trimester.
- Based on prospective reports from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry (APR) of approximately 1000 live births following exposure to efavirenz-containing regimens (including over 800 live births exposed in the first trimester), there was no difference between efavirenz and overall birth defects compared with the background birth defect rate of 2.7% in the U.S. reference population of the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program.
- As of the interim APR report issued December 2014, the prevalence of birth defects following first-trimester exposure was 2.3% (95% CI:
- 1.4%-3.6%).
- One of these prospectively reported defects with first-trimester exposure was a neural tube defect.
- A single case of anophthalmia with first-trimester exposure to efavirenz has also been prospectively reported.
- This case also included severe oblique facial clefts and amniotic banding, which have a known association with anophthalmia.
- Animal Data Effects of efavirenz on embryo-fetal development have been studied in three nonclinical species (cynomolgus monkeys, rats, and rabbits).
- In monkeys, efavirenz 60 mg/kg/day was administered to pregnant females throughout pregnancy (gestation days 20 through 150).
- The maternal systemic drug exposures (AUC) were 1.3 times the exposure in humans at the recommended clinical dose (600 mg/day), with fetal umbilical venous drug concentrations approximately 0.7 times the maternal values.
- Three of 20 fetuses/infants had one or more malformations; there were no malformed fetuses or infants from placebo-treated mothers.
- The malformations that occurred in these three monkey fetuses included anencephaly and unilateral anophthalmia in one fetus, microphthalmia in a second, and cleft palate in the third.
- There was no NOAEL (no observable adverse effect level) established for this study because only one dosage was evaluated.
- In rats, efavirenz was administered either during organogenesis (gestation days 7 to 18) or from gestation day 7 through lactation day 21 at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day.
- Administration of 200 mg/kg/day in rats was associated with increase in the incidence of early resorptions; and doses 100 mg/kg/day and greater were associated with early neonatal mortality.
- The AUC at the NOAEL (50 mg/kg/day) in this rat study was 0.1 times that in humans at the recommended clinical dose.
- Drug concentrations in the milk on lactation day 10 were approximately 8 times higher than those in maternal plasma.
- In pregnant rabbits, efavirenz was neither embryo lethal nor teratogenic when administered at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day over the period of organogenesis (gestation days 6 through 18).
- The AUC at the NOAEL (75 mg/kg/day) in rabbits was 0.4 times that in humans at the recommended clinical dose.
- 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed their infants to
- avoid risking postnatal transmission of HIV.
- Because of the potential for HIV transmission in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed.
- 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Because of potential teratogenic effects, pregnancy should be avoided in women receiving efavirenz [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] .
- Pregnancy Testing Females of reproductive potential should undergo pregnancy testing before initiation of efavirenz.
- Contraception Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment with efavirenz and for 12 weeks after discontinuing efavirenz due to the long half-life of efavirenz.
- Barrier contraception should always be used in combination with other methods of contraception.
- Hormonal methods that contain progesterone may have decreased effectiveness [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] .
- 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety, pharmacokinetic profile, and virologic and immunologic responses of efavirenz were evaluated in antiretroviral-naive and -experienced HIV-1 infected pediatric patients 3 months to 21 years of age in three open-label clinical trials [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), and Clinical Studies ( 14.2 ) ] .
- The type and frequency of adverse reactions in these trials were generally similar to those of adult patients with the exception of a higher frequency of rash, including a higher frequency of Grade 3 or 4 rash, in pediatric patients compared to
- adults [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Adverse Reactions 6.2 ) ] .
- Use of efavirenz in patients younger than 3 months of age OR less than 3.5 kg body weight is not recommended because the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of efavirenz have not been evaluated in this age group and there is a risk of developing HIV resistance if efavirenz is underdosed.
- See Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) for dosing recommendations for pediatric patients.
- 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of efavirenz did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
- In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other therapy.
- 8.6 Hepatic Impairment Efavirenz is not recommended for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment because there are insufficient data to determine whether dose adjustment is necessary.
- Patients with mild hepatic impairment may be treated with efavirenz without any adjustment in dose.
- Because of the extensive cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of efavirenz and limited clinical experience in patients with hepatic impairment, caution should be exercised in administering efavirenz to these patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Pregnancy or Breast Feeding”.
Other medicines
- Efavirenz plasma concentrations may be altered by substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of CYP3A.
- Likewise, efavirenz may alter plasma concentrations of drugs metabolized by CYP3A or CYP2B6.
- The most prominent effect of efavirenz at steady state is induction of CYP3A and CYP2B6 [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].
- Coadministration of efavirenz can alter the concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the concentrations of efavirenz.
- The potential for drug-drug interactions should be considered before and during therapy.
- ( 7 )
- 7.1 Potential for Efavirenz to Affect other Drugs Efavirenz has been shown in vivo to induce CYP3A and CYP2B6.
- Other compounds that are substrates of CYP3A or CYP2B6 may have decreased plasma concentrations when coadministered with efavirenz.
- 7.2 Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Efavirenz Drugs that induce CYP3A activity (e.g., phenobarbital, rifampin, rifabutin) would be expected to increase the clearance of efavirenz resulting in lowered plasma concentrations [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) ].
- 7.3 QT Prolonging Drugs There is limited information available on the potential for a pharmacodynamic interaction between efavirenz and drugs that prolong the QTc interval.
- QTc prolongation has been observed with the use of efavirenz [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] .
- Consider alternatives to efavirenz when coadministered with a drug with a known risk of Torsade de Pointes.
- 7.4 Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Drug interactions with efavirenz are summarized in Table 5.
- For pharmacokinetics data, [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] Tables 7 and 8 .
- This table includes potentially significant interactions, but is not all inclusive.
- Table 5:
- Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions:
- Alteration in Dose or Regimen May Be Recommended Based on Drug Interaction Studies or Predicted Interaction Concomitant Drug Class:
- Drug Name Effect Clinical Comment HIV antiviral agents Protease inhibitor:
- Fosamprenavir Calcium ↓ amprenavir Fosamprenavir (unboosted):
- Appropriate doses of the combinations with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established.
- Fosamprenavir/ritonavir:
- An additional 100 mg/day (300 mg total) of ritonavir is recommended when efavirenz is administered with fosamprenavir/ritonavir once daily.
- No change in the ritonavir dose is required when efavirenz is administered with fosamprenavir plus ritonavir twice daily.
- Protease inhibitor:
- Atazanavir ↓ atazanavir * Treatment-naive patients:
- When coadministered with efavirenz, the recommended dose of atazanavir is 400 mg with ritonavir 100 mg (together once daily with food) and efavirenz 600 mg (once daily on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime).
- Treatment-experienced patients:
- Coadministration of efavirenz and atazanavir is not recommended.
- Protease inhibitor:
- Indinavir ↓ indinavir * The optimal dose of indinavir, when given in combination with efavirenz, is not known.
- Increasing the indinavir dose to 1000 mg every 8 hours does not compensate for the increased indinavir metabolism due to efavirenz.
- Protease inhibitor:
- Lopinavir/ritonavir ↓ lopinavir * Lopinavir/ritonavir once daily dosing is not recommended when coadministered with efavirenz.
- The dose of lopinavir/ritonavir must be increased when coadministered with efavirenz.
- See the lopinavir/ritonavir prescribing information for dose adjustments of lopinavir/ritonavir when coadministered with efavirenz in adult and pediatric patients.
- Protease inhibitor:
- Ritonavir ↑ ritonavir * ↑ efavirenz * Monitor for elevation of liver enzymes and for adverse clinical experiences (e.g., dizziness, nausea, paresthesia) when efavirenz is coadministered with ritonavir.
- Protease inhibitor:
- Saquinavir ↓ saquinavir * Appropriate doses of the combination of efavirenz and saquinavir/ritonavir with respect to safety and efficacy have not been established.
- NNRTI:
- Other NNRTIs ↑ or ↓ efavirenz and/or NNRTI Combining two NNRTIs has not been shown to be beneficial.
- Efavirenz should not be coadministered with other NNRTIs.
- CCR5 co-receptor antagonist:
- Maraviroc ↓ maraviroc * Refer to the full prescribing information for maraviroc for guidance on coadministration with efavirenz.
- Hepatitis C antiviral agents Boceprevir ↓ boceprevir * Concomitant administration of boceprevir with efavirenz is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of boceprevir.
- Elbasvir/Grazoprevir ↓ elbasvir ↓ grazoprevir Coadministration of efavirenz with elbasvir/grazoprevir is contraindicated [seeContraindications ( 4 )] because it may lead to loss of virologic response to elbasvir/grazoprevir.
- Pibrentasvir/Glecaprevir ↓ pibrentasvir ↓ glecaprevir Coadministration of efavirenz is not recommended because it may lead to reduced therapeutic effect of pibrentasvir/glecaprevir.
- Simeprevir ↓ simeprevir * ↔ efavirenz * Concomitant administration of simeprevir with efavirenz is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of simeprevir.
- Velpatasvir/ Sofosbuvir ↓ velpatasvir Coadministration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir.
- Velpatasvir /Sofosbuvir/ Voxilaprevir ↓ velpatasvir ↓ voxilaprevir Coadministration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir Other agents Anticoagulant:Warfarin ↑ or ↓ warfarin Monitor international normalised ratio (INR) and adjust warfarin dosage if necessary.
- Anticonvulsants:Carbamazepine PhenytoinPhenobarbital ↓ carbamazepine * ↓ efavirenz * ↓ anticonvulsant ↓ efavirenz There are insufficient data to make a dose recommendation for efavirenz.
- Alternative anticonvulsant treatment should be used.
- Potential for reduction in anticonvulsant and/or efavirenz plasma levels; periodic monitoring of anticonvulsant plasma levels should be conducted.
- Antidepressant:
- Bupropion Sertraline ↓ bupropion * ↓ sertraline * Increases in bupropion dosage should be guided by clinical response.
- Bupropion dose should not exceed the maximum recommended dose.
- Increases in sertraline dosage should be guided by clinical response.
- Antifungals:
- Voriconazole Itraconazole Ketoconazole Posaconazole ↓ voriconazole * ↑ efavirenz * ↓ itraconazole * ↓ hydroxyitraconazole * ↓ ketoconazole ↓ posaconazole * Efavirenz and voriconazole should not be coadministered at standard doses.
- When voriconazole is coadministered with efavirenz, voriconazole maintenance dose should be increased to 400 mg every 12 hours and efavirenz dose should be decreased to 300 mg once daily using the capsule formulation.
- Efavirenz tablets must not be broken. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 , Tables 7 and 8 )] .
- Consider alternative antifungal treatment because no dose recommendation for itraconazole can be made.
- Consider alternative antifungal treatment because no dose recommendation for ketoconazole can be made.
- Avoid concomitant use unless the benefit outweighs the risks.
- Anthelmintic:
- Praziquantel ↓ praziquantel Coadministration with efavirenz is not recommended due to significant decrease in plasma concentrations of praziquantel, with risk of treatment failure due to increased hepatic metabolism by efavirenz.
- Anti-infective:
- Clarithromycin ↓ clarithromycin * ↑ 14-OH metabolite * Consider alternatives to macrolide antibiotics because of the risk of QT interval prolongation.
- Antimycobacterial:
- Rifabutin Rifampin ↓ rifabutin * ↓ efavirenz * Increase daily dose of rifabutin by 50%.
- Consider doubling the rifabutin dose in regimens where rifabutin is given 2 or 3 times a week.
- Increase efavirenz to 800 mg once daily when coadministered with rifampin to patients weighing 50 kg or more.
- Antimalarials:
- Artemether/lumefantrine Atovaquone/ proguanil ↓ artemether * ↓ dihydroartemisinin * ↓ lumefantrine * ↓ atovaquone ↓ proguanil Consider alternatives to artemether/ lumefantrine because of the risk of QT interval prolongation.
- Concomitant administration is not recommended.
- Calcium channel blockers:
- Diltiazem Others (e.g., felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil) ↓ diltiazem * ↓ desacetyl diltiazem * ↓ N-monodesmethyl diltiazem * ↓ calcium channel blocker Diltiazem dose adjustments should be guided by clinical response (refer to the full prescribing information for diltiazem).
- No dose adjustment of efavirenz is necessary when administered with diltiazem.
- When coadministered with efavirenz, dosage adjustment of calcium channels blocker may be needed and should be guided by clinical response (refer to the full prescribing information for the calcium channel blocker).
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors:
- Atorvastatin PravastatinSimvastatin ↓ atorvastatin * ↓ pravastatin * ↓ simvastatin * Plasma concentrations of atorvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin decreased.
- Consult the full prescribing information for the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor for guidance on individualizing the dose.
- Hormonal contraceptives:
- Oral Ethinyl estradiol/ Norgsetimate Implant Etonogestrel ↑ active metabolites of norgestimate * ↓ etonogestrel A reliable method of barrier contraception should be used in addition to hormonal contraceptives.
- A reliable method of barrier contraception should be used in addition to hormonal contraceptives.
- Decreased exposure of etonogestrel may be expected.
- There have been postmarketing reports of contraceptive failure with etonogestrel in efavirenz-exposed patients.
- Immunosuppressants:
- Cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus and others metabolized by CYP3A ↓ immunosuppressant Dose adjustments of the immunosuppressant may be required.
- Close monitoring of immunosuppressant concentrations for at least 2 weeks (until stable concentrations are reached) is recommended when starting or stopping treatment with efavirenz.
- Narcotic analgesic:
- Methadone ↓ methadone * Monitor for signs of methadone withdrawal and increase methadone dose if required to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. * The interaction between efavirenz and the drug was evaluated in a clinical study.
- All other drug interactions shown are predicted.
- This table is not all-inclusive.
- 7.5 Drugs Without Clinically Significant Interactions with Efavirenz No dosage adjustment is recommended when efavirenz is given with the following:
- aluminum/magnesium hydroxide antacids, azithromycin, cetirizine, famotidine, fluconazole, lorazepam, nelfinavir, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (abacavir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, zidovudine), paroxetine, and raltegravir.
- 7.6 Cannabinoid Test Interaction Efavirenz does not bind to cannabinoid receptors.
- False-positive urine cannabinoid test results have been reported with some screening assays in uninfected and HIV-infected subjects receiving efavirenz.
- Confirmation of positive screening tests for cannabinoids by a more specific method is recommended.
Quoted from the official label, section “Drug Interactions”.
If you take too much
In an emergency, call your local emergency number or a poison control centre.
- Some patients accidentally taking 600 mg twice daily have reported increased nervous system symptoms.
- One patient experienced involuntary muscle contractions.
- Treatment of overdose with efavirenz should consist of general supportive measures, including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the patient's clinical status.
- Administration of activated charcoal may be used to aid removal of unabsorbed drug.
- There is no specific antidote for overdose with efavirenz.
- Since efavirenz is highly protein bound, dialysis is unlikely to significantly remove the drug from blood.
Quoted from the official label, section “Overdosage”.
Use in children
- The safety, pharmacokinetic profile, and virologic and immunologic responses of efavirenz were evaluated in antiretroviral-naive and -experienced HIV-1 infected pediatric patients 3 months to 21 years of age in three open-label clinical trials [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ), and Clinical Studies ( 14.2 ) ] .
- The type and frequency of adverse reactions in these trials were generally similar to those of adult patients with the exception of a higher frequency of rash, including a higher frequency of Grade 3 or 4 rash, in pediatric patients compared to
- adults [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Adverse Reactions 6.2 ) ] .
- Use of efavirenz in patients younger than 3 months of age OR less than 3.5 kg body weight is not recommended because the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of efavirenz have not been evaluated in this age group and there is a risk of developing HIV resistance if efavirenz is underdosed.
- See Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) for dosing recommendations for pediatric patients.
Quoted from the official label, section “Pediatric Use”.
Use in older people
- Clinical studies of efavirenz did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
- In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function and of concomitant disease or other therapy.
Quoted from the official label, section “Geriatric Use”.
Side effects
- The most significant adverse reactions observed in patients treated with efavirenz are:
- psychiatric symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] nervous system symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] rash [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most common adverse reactions (>5%, moderate-severe) are impaired concentration, abnormal dreams, rash, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, and vomiting.
- ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cipla Ltd. at 1-866-604-3268 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
- 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates reported cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical studies and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
- Adverse Reactions in
- Adults The most common (>5% in either efavirenz treatment group) adverse reactions of at least moderate severity among patients in Study 006 treated with efavirenz in combination with zidovudine/lamivudine or indinavir were rash, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, insomnia, and vomiting.
- Selected clinical adverse reactions of moderate or severe intensity observed in ≥2% of efavirenz-treated patients in two controlled clinical trials are presented in Table 2 .
- Table2:Selected Treatment-Emergent a Adverse Reactions of Moderate or Severe Intensity Reported in ≥2% of Efavirenz-Treated Patients in Studies 006 and ACTG364 a Includes adverse events at least possibly related to study drug or of unknown relationship for Study 006.
- Includes all adverse events regardless of relationship to study drug for Study ACTG 364. b Efavirenz provided as 600 mg once daily. c Median duration of treatment. d Includes erythema multiforme, rash, rash erythematous, rash follicular, rash maculopapular, rash petechial, rash pustular, and urticaria for Study 006 and macules, papules, rash, erythema, redness, inflammation, allergic rash, urticaria, welts, hives, itchy, and pruritus for ACTG 364. – = Not Specified.
- ZDV = zidovudine, LAM = lamivudine.
- Adverse Reactions Study 006 LAM-, NNRTI-, and Protease Inhibitor- Naive Patients Study ACTG 364 NNRTI- ,and Protease NRTI-experienced, Inhibitor-Naive Patients Efavirenz b +ZDV/LAM (n=412) 180 weeks c Efavirenz b +Indinavir (n=415) 102 weeks c Indinavir +ZDV/LAM (n=401) 76 weeks c Efavirenz b +Nelfinavir + NRTIs (n=64) 71.1 weeks c Efavirenz b +NRTIs (n=65) 70.9 weeks c Nelfinavir +NRTIs (n=66) 62.7 weeks c Body as a Whole Fatigue 8% 5% 9% 0 2% 3% Pain 1% 2% 8% 13% 6% 17% Central and Peripheral Nervous System Dizziness 9% 9% 2% 2% 6% 6% Headache 8% 5% 3% 5% 2% 3% Insomnia 7% 7% 2% 0 0 2% Concentration impaired 5% 3% <1% 0 0 0 Abnormal dreams 3% 1% 0 – – – Somnolence 2% 2% <1% 0 0 0 Anorexia 1% <1% <1% 0 2% 2% Gastrointestinal Nausea 10% 6% 24% 3% 2% 2% Vomiting 6% 3% 14% – – – Diarrhea 3% 5% 6% 14% 3% 9% Dyspepsia 4% 4% 6% 0 0 2% Abdominal pain 2% 2% 5% 3% 3% 3% Psychiatric Anxiety 2% 4% <1% – – – Depression 5% 4% <1% 3% 0 5% Nervousness 2% 2% 0 2% 0 2% Skin and Appendages Rash d 11% 16% 5% 9% 5% 9% Pruritus <1% 1% 1% 9% 5% 9% Pancreatitis has been reported, although a causal relationship with efavirenz has not been established.
- Asymptomatic increases in serum amylase levels were observed in a significantly higher number of patients treated with efavirenz 600 mg than in control patients (see Laboratory Abnormalities ).
- Nervous System Symptoms For 1008 patients treated with regimens containing efavirenz and 635 patients treated with a control regimen in controlled trials, Table 3 lists the frequency of symptoms of different degrees of severity and gives the discontinuation rates for one or more of the following nervous system symptoms:
- dizziness, insomnia, impaired concentration, somnolence, abnormal dreaming, euphoria, confusion, agitation, amnesia, hallucinations, stupor, abnormal thinking, and depersonalization [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )].
- The frequencies of specific central and peripheral nervous system symptoms are provided in Table 2 .
- Table3:Percent of Patients with One or More Selected Nervous System Symptoms a,b a Includes events reported regardless of causality. b Data from Study 006 and three Phase 2/3 studies. c "Mild" = Symptoms which do not interfere with patient's daily activities. d "Moderate" = Symptoms which may interfere with daily activities. e "Severe" = Events which interrupt patient's usual daily activities.
- Percent of Patients with:
- Efavirenz 600 mg Once Daily (n=1008) % Control Groups (n=635) % Symptoms of any severity 52.7
- 24.6 Mild symptoms c 33.3
- 15.6 Moderate symptoms d 17.4
- 7.7 Severe symptoms e 2.0
- 1.3 Treatment discontinuation as a result of symptoms 2.1
- 1.1 Psychiatric Symptoms Serious psychiatric adverse experiences have been reported in patients treated with efavirenz.
- In controlled trials, psychiatric symptoms observed at a frequency greater than 2% among patients treated with efavirenz or control regimens, respectively, were depression (19%, 16%), anxiety (13%, 9%), and nervousness (7%, 2%).
- Rash In controlled clinical trials, the frequency of rash (all grades, regardless of causality) was 26% for 1008
- adults treated with regimens containing efavirenz and 17% for 635
- adults treated with a control regimen.
- Most reports of rash were mild or moderate in severity.
- The frequency of Grade 3 rash was 0.8% for efavirenz-treated patients and 0.3% for control groups, and the frequency of Grade 4 rash was 0.1% for efavirenz and 0 for control groups.
- The discontinuation rates as a result of rash were 1.7% for efavirenz-treated patients and 0.3% for control groups [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) ] .
- Experience with efavirenz in patients who discontinued other antiretroviral agents of the NNRTI class is limited.
- Nineteen patients who discontinued nevirapine because of rash have been treated with efavirenz.
- Nine of these patients developed mild-to-moderate rash while receiving therapy with efavirenz, and two of these patients discontinued because of rash.
- Laboratory Abnormalities Selected Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥2% of efavirenz-treated patients in two clinical trials are presented in Table 4 .
- Table4:Selected Grade 3-4 Laboratory Abnormalites Reported in ≥2% of Efavirenz-Treated Patients in Studies 006 and ACTG364 a Efavirenz provided as 600 mg once daily. b Median duration of treatment. c Isolated elevations of GGT in patients receiving efavirenz may reflect enzyme induction not associated with liver toxicity. d Nonfasting.
- ZDV = zidovudine, LAM = lamivudine, ULN = upper limit of normal, ALT = alanine aminotransferase, AST = aspartate aminotransferase, GGT = gamma-glutamyltransferase.
- Variable Limit Study 006 LAM-, NNRTI -, Naive Patients and Protease Inhibitor- Study ACTG 364, NRTI-experienced, Protease Inhibitor NNRTI- and - Naive Patients Efavirenz a +ZDV/LAM (n=412) 180 weeks b Efavirenz a + Indinavir (n=415) 102 weeks b Indinavir + ZDV/ LAM (n=401) 76 weeks b Efavirenz a + Nelfinavir + NRTIs (n=64) 71.1 weeks b Efavirenz a + NRTIs (n=65) 70.9 weeks b Nelfinavir + NRTIs (n=66) 62.7 weeks b Chemistry ALT >5 × ULN 5% 8% 5% 2% 6% 3% AST >5 × ULN 5% 6% 5% 6% 8% 8% GGT c >5 × ULN 8% 7% 3% 5% 0 5% Amylase >2 × ULN 4% 4% 1% 0 6% 2% Glucose >250 mg/dL 3% 3% 3% 5% 2% 3% Triglycerides d ≥751 mg/dL 9% 6% 6% 11% 8% 17% Hematology Neutrophils <750/ mm 3 10% 3% 5% 2% 3% 2% Patients Coinfected with Hepatitis B or C Liver function tests should be monitored in patients with a history of hepatitis B and/or C.
- In the long-term data set from Study 006, 137 patients treated with efavirenz-containing regimens (median duration of therapy, 68 weeks) and 84 treated with a control regimen (median duration, 56 weeks) were seropositive at screening for hepatitis B (surface antigen positive) and/or C (hepatitis C antibody positive).
- Among these coinfected patients, elevations in AST to greater than five times ULN developed in 13% of patients in the efavirenz arms and 7% of those in the control arm, and elevations in ALT to greater than five times ULN developed in 20% of patients in the efavirenz arms and 7% of patients in the control arm.
- Among coinfected patients, 3% of those treated with efavirenz-containing regimens and 2% in the control arm discontinued from the study because of liver or biliary system disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )].
- Lipids Increases from baseline in total cholesterol of 10-20% have been observed in some uninfected volunteers receiving efavirenz.
- In patients treated with efavirenz + zidovudine + lamivudine, increases from baseline in nonfasting total cholesterol and HDL of approximately 20% and 25%, respectively, were observed.
- In patients treated with efavirenz + indinavir, increases from baseline in nonfasting cholesterol and HDL of approximately 40% and 35%, respectively, were observed.
- Nonfasting total cholesterol levels ≥240 mg/dL and ≥300 mg/dL were reported in 34% and 9%, respectively, of patients treated with efavirenz + zidovudine + lamivudine; 54% and 20%, respectively, of patients treated with efavirenz + indinavir; and 28% and 4%, respectively, of patients treated with indinavir + zidovudine + lamivudine.
- The effects of efavirenz on triglycerides and LDL in this study were not well characterized since samples were taken from nonfasting patients.
- The clinical significance of these findings is unknown [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )].
- Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates reported cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical studies and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
- Assessment of adverse reactions is based on three clinical trials in 182 HIV-1 infected pediatric patients (3 months to 21 years of age) who received efavirenz in combination with other antiretroviral agents for a median of 123 weeks.
- The adverse reactions observed in the three trials were similar to those observed in clinical trials in
- adults except that rash was more common in pediatric patients (32% for all grades regardless of causality) and more often of higher grade (ie, more severe).
- Two (1.1%) pediatric patients experienced Grade 3 rash (confluent rash with fever, generalized rash), and four (2.2%) pediatric patients had Grade 4 rash (all erythema multiforme).
- Five pediatric patients (2.7%) discontinued from the study because of rash [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) ] .
- 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of efavirenz.
- Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
- Body as a Whole:
- allergic reactions, asthenia, redistribution/accumulation of body fat [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 ) ] .
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System:
- abnormal coordination, ataxia, encephalopathy, cerebellar coordination and balance disturbances, convulsions, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, neuropathy, tremor, vertigo Endocrine:
- gynecomastia Gastrointestinal:
- constipation, malabsorption Cardiovascular:
- flushing, palpitations Liver and Biliary System:
- hepatic enzyme increase, hepatic failure, hepatitis.
- Metabolic and Nutritional:
- hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia Musculoskeletal:
- arthralgia, myalgia, myopathy Psychiatric:
- aggressive reactions, agitation, delusions, emotional lability, mania, neurosis, paranoia, psychosis, suicide, catatonia Respiratory:
- dyspnea Skin and Appendages:
- erythema multiforme, photoallergic dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome Special Senses:
- abnormal vision, tinnitus
Quoted from the official label, section “Adverse Reactions”.
What to discuss with your doctor
- Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information and Instructions for Use).
- Drug Interactions A statement to patients and healthcare providers is included on the product's bottle labels:
- ALERT:
- Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with Efavirenz.
- Efavirenz may interact with some drugs; therefore, advise patients to report to their doctor the use of any other prescription or nonprescription medication.
- General Information for Patients Inform patients that efavirenz is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and patients may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections.
- Patients should remain under the care of a physician while taking efavirenz.
- Advise patients to avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 infection to others.
- Do not share or reuse needles or other injection equipment.
- Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.
- Do not have any kind of sex without protection.
- Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
- Do not breastfeed.
- Mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
- Dosing Instructions Advise patients to take efavirenz every day as prescribed.
- If a patient forgets to take efavirenz, tell the patient to take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for the next dose.
- Advise the patient not to
- take 2 doses at one time and to take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
- Advise the patient to ask a healthcare provider if he/she needs help in planning the best times to take his/her medicine.
- Efavirenz must always be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
- Advise patients to take efavirenz on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.
- Taking efavirenz with food increases efavirenz concentrations and may increase the frequency of adverse reactions.
- Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] .
- Healthcare providers should assist parents or caregivers in determining the best efavirenz dosing schedule for infants and young children.
- Patients should call their healthcare provider or pharmacist if they have any questions.
- Nervous System Symptoms Inform patients that central nervous system symptoms (NSS) including dizziness, insomnia, impaired concentration, drowsiness, and abnormal dreams are commonly reported during the first weeks of therapy with efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] .
- Dosing at bedtime may improve the tolerability of these symptoms, which are likely to improve with continued therapy.
- Alert patients to the potential for additive effects when efavirenz is used concomitantly with alcohol or psychoactive drugs.
- Instruct patients that if they experience NSS they should
- avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
- Inform patients that there is a risk of developing late-onset neurotoxicity, including ataxia and encephalopathy which may occur months to years after beginning efavirenz therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] .
- Psychiatric Symptoms Inform patients that serious psychiatric symptoms including severe depression, suicide attempts, aggressive behavior, delusions, paranoia, psychosis-like symptoms and catatonia have been reported in patients receiving efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] .
- If they experience severe psychiatric adverse experiences they should seek immediate medical evaluation.
- Advise patients to inform their physician of any history of mental illness or substance abuse.
- Rash Inform patients that a common side effect is rash [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] .
- Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment.
- However, since rash may be serious, advise patients to contact their physician promptly if rash occurs.
- Hepatotoxicity Inform patients to watch for early warning signs of liver inflammation or failure, such as fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, as well as later signs such as jaundice, confusion, abdominal swelling, and discolored feces, and to consult their health care professional without delay if such symptoms occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] .
- Females of Reproductive Potential Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception as well as a barrier method during treatment with efavirenz and for 12 weeks after discontinuing efavirenz.
- Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they plan to become pregnant, become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected during treatment with efavirenz [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.3 )] .
- Pregnancy Exposure Registry Advise patients that there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to efavirenz during pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] .
- Fat Redistribution Inform patients that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] .
- Disclaimer:
- Other brands listed are the registered trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of Cipla Limited.
- Manufactured by: Cipla Ltd.
- Verna-403722, Goa, India Manufactured for:
- Cipla USA, Inc. 10 Independence Boulevard, Suite 300 Warren, New Jersey – 07059 Revised:
- 3/2024
Quoted from the official label, section “Patient Counseling Information”.
Strengths and forms
- FORMS AND STRENGTHS Tablets:
- 600 mg (3) Tablets 600-mg tablets are yellow coloured, capsule-shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets debossed with '301' on one side and 'CL' on other side.
Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage Forms & Strengths”.
What it looks like and how it is packed
- 16.2 Tablets Efavirenz tablets, USP are available as follows:
- 600-mg tablets are yellow coloured, capsule-shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets debossed with '301' on one side and 'CL' on other side.
- Bottle of 30 tablets NDC 69097-301-02
- 16.3 Storage Efavirenz tablets, USP should be stored at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Quoted from the official label, section “How Supplied”.
What is in it
- Efavirenz is an HIV-1 specific, non-nucleoside, reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).
- Efavirenz is chemically described as (S)-6-chloro-4-(cyclopropylethynyl)-1,4-dihydro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one.
- Its empirical formula is C 14 H 9 ClF 3 NO 2 and its structural formula is:
- Efavirenz is a white to slightly pink crystalline powder with a molecular mass of 315.68.
- It is practically insoluble in water (<10 microgram/mL).
- Tablets:
- Efavirenz tablets, USP is available as film-coated tablets for oral administration containing 600 mg of efavirenz and the following inactive ingredients:
- Lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate.
- The film coating contains opadry yellow (consist of hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol, iron oxide yellow).
- Efavirenz
Quoted from the official label, section “Description”.
Ingredients people check for
Lactose, gluten, dyes, sugars and other ingredients that matter with an allergy, intolerance or diet — as this product’s FDA label lists them.
- Lactose
Lactose monohydrate
Milk sugar: matters with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy.
Quoted from the FDA label. A label that does not name an ingredient is not a guarantee that the product is free of it, and formulations change. With an allergy, check the pack and ask a pharmacist.
Every version of this medicine (5)
The same active substance, strength and kind of form, from every company that sells it — with what each label lists.
Showing 5 of 5
Same active substance, strength and form in other countries
Matched on active substance, strength and kind of form only. This is not a statement that the products are equivalent or interchangeable: other ingredients, release and approved uses can differ — ask a pharmacist before swapping.
Medicine passport: one printable page to show a pharmacist abroad
European UnionNo exact match for this strength and form
Spain5 matching products
Canada4 matching products
Netherlands5 matching products
Details
| Made by | Cipla USA Inc. |
|---|---|
| Active substance | Efavirenz |
| Used in | Antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals taken into the body |
| Strength | 600 mg |
| Form | Tablet, Film Coated |
| Route | Oral |
| Packs | 30 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 BOTTLE |
| NDC | 69097-301 |
Source: NDC Directory · 2026-09-13 · not reviewed by a clinician
Source: US Food and Drug Administration, NDC Directory. Reuse terms: US government work (FDA).
Other strengths and forms
8 products are sold under this name. Grouped by form; a number on a strength means several companies make it.
- Tablet, Film Coated4 products
600 mg4
600 mg · 4 companies
- Aurobindo Pharma Limited
- Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Cipla USA Inc. · this page
- XLCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Capsule3 products
- Tablet1 products
Same active substance
These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.