Taking it

Efavirenz (Sustiva) is dosed at 600mg, taken in the form of three 200mg capsules or one 600mg tablet once a day. The drug should be taken on an empty stomach before going to bed in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. Taking the drug with food may increase drug levels in some people by up to 50%. High-fat meals may increase the absorption of efavirenz, which may in turn increase the risk of side-effects, especially during the early weeks of treatment.

See Atripla for information on taking efavirenz as part of a combination pill with tenofovir and emtricitabine.

It is important to take the drug as prescribed in order to maintain the right level of the drug in the blood. If blood levels of the drug fall too low, this will help the development of resistance to efavirenz and may affect future treatment options.

Efavirenz is also available as a solution for use in children and people who cannot take the tablets or capsules.

Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.