Generic Sustiva ® : EFAVIRENZ
EFAVIRENZ is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Sustiva ®
Sustiva ® is the registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Medication Information about Generic Sustiva Important information about usage, risks and possible side-effects..

Capsules Chemical Name: EFAVIRENZ (eh-FAV-er-enz)

Possible Uses of This Medication This medicine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combination with other drugs to manage human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV).

Before using WARNING: Efavirenz must be used with other proven anti-HIV medicines because HIV quickly becomes resistant to efavirenz when it is used alone. It is not known how effective this medicine is in the long- term treatment of HIV. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking astemizole, cisapride, midazolam, terfenadine, triazolam, or ergot drugs. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking HIV protease inhibitors or St John's wort. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

How to take this medication Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. IF YOU TAKE IT WITH FOOD, do not take it with a high fat meal. Take this medicine at the same time every day, preferably at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. 

Cautions DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose of this medicine may not provide additional benefits and may increase the risks of side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION while you are taking this medicine. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM SPREADING HIV. If you have questions concerning how to prevent the spreading of HIV, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PROTECT you from getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Always use a condom during sexual intercourse. If your health changes, check with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS: this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, also use a barrier form of birth control. PREGNANCY SHOULD BE AVOIDED while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, contact your doctor immediately. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. BECAUSE BREAST MILK CAN TRANSMIT HIV, DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, trouble concentrating, or drowsiness. These side effects tend to go away after a few weeks. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience rash with or without fever; mouth sores; change in personality, behavior, mood, or emotions; yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine or pale stools; unusual fatigue; or vision changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take with and without a prescription. 

Missed Dose IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. do not double the next dose

Storage Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Other Information DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.