Sustiva is often generically prescribed as efavirenz and is commonly used to treat HIV and AIDS. Sustiva is not a cure for either HIV or AIDS. Sustiva tries to prevent the HIV virus from growing within the body.
Sustiva is not appropriate for all patients and a thorough medical assessment may be required before prescribing this medication. Patients with a medical assessment or history which includes mental illness, liver disease, depression, or high levels of triglycerides or cholesterol in the blood may not be able to take Sustiva or may require careful monitoring while taking this medication, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.
The American Food and Drug Administration rated Sustiva as a pregnancy risk category D. Sustiva has been proven to cause harm or birth defects in unborn babies and should not be prescribed to patients who are pregnant, nursing, or have a high likelihood of becoming pregnant. Sustiva does pass through the mother’s breast milk although it has yet to be determined whether or not the medication will affect a nursing baby. However, in a effort to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, it is recommended that HIV positive women and women infected with AIDS do not breast feed their babies.
There is a risk of side effects associated with Sustiva, some of which could be serious. Serious side effects require emergency medical treatment. Serious side effects associated with Sustiva are likely to include serious allergic reactions (hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat), a rash, mania, paranoia, aggressiveness, suicidal thoughts, and severe depression.
Less serious side effects are likely to include headaches, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, strange or vivid dreams, agitation, nervousness, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a change in the body’s distribution of body fat. Less serious side effects may be somewhat alleviated by reducing the dosage of Sustiva or by taking the medication before bed.
Sustiva should be taken exactly as it has been prescribed and patients should never take more medication than has been recommended. A missed dose can be taken as soon as it is remembered provided it is not almost time for the next scheduled dose, in which case the missed dose should be skipped altogether. Taking too much Sustiva may result in an overdose which would require immediate emergency medical attention. An overdose is likely to present with symptoms which include headache, numbness, a lack of coordination, dizziness, tingling, tremors, muscle cramps, confusion, and seizures.
Other medications may interact with Sustiva, and patients should be urged to inquire with the prescribing physician before taking new medications, including over the counter and herbal medications. The prescribing physician should be sure they have an accurate list of the patient’s current medications before prescribing Sustiva. Medications with a known interaction to Sustiva include rifampin, indinavir, blood thinners, ritonavir, saquinavir, rifabutin, and clarithromycin.
Patients should be expressly warned that even with treatment, HIV and AIDS can still be spread through high risk behaviors. Sustiva does nothing to prevent the transmission of the disease from one person to another. Patients should also be encouraged to avoid alcohol as this may increase the tiredness and dizziness often associated with Sustiva. Patients should be monitored monthly for any mood changes or stemming psychiatric conditions that can abruptly occur while taking Sustiva.
Sustiva has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of sustiva is C14H9ClF3NO2
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 8-chloro-5-(2-cyclopropylethynyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-oxa-2- zabicyclo[4.4.0]deca-7,9,11-trien-3-one
• Molecular weight is 315.675 g/mol
• Sustiva available : 50mg capsules, 100mg capsules, 200mg capsules, 600mg tablets
Generic name: Efavirenz
Brand name(s): Stocrin
Review published on: 04 June 2007
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