efavirenz(Sustiva, Atripla (combo))
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)
Pronunciation
/ɛˈfævɪrɛnz/
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Say it aloud once — you will remember it forever.
At a glance
- Generic name
- efavirenz
- Brand names
- Sustiva, Atripla (combo)
- Therapeutic class
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)
- Mechanism (summary)
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Clinical pearls
- Take at bedtime on empty stomach to minimize CNS effects.
- Avoid high-fat meals - increase absorption and side effects.
- Report severe rash, jaundice, mood changes, or suicidal thoughts.
- Use barrier contraception - reduces hormonal contraceptive levels and teratogenic (older data; first-trimester avoidance traditional).
- Avoid alcohol.
Sources
See how efavirenz appears in NAPLEX-style questions
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