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Other brands with the same active ingredient
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Efavirenz). Same strength and form. Confirm the switch with your doctor or pharmacist.
Indications & Uses
Adiva (efavirenz) is used together with other antiretroviral agents to treat HIV-1 infection. This use rests on plasma HIV-RNA levels and CD4 cell counts measured in controlled studies lasting up to 24 weeks. So far there are no results from controlled trials that look at long-term suppression of HIVRNA with Adiva.
Pharmacology
Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) active against HIV-1. It blocks RNA and DNA dependent polymerase activities, including HIV-1 replication.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Dosage in Adults: The recommended dose of Efavirenz is 600 mg taken by mouth once daily, combined with a protease inhibitor and/or nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Dosage in Pediatric Patients: For children 3 years of age or older weighing between 10 and 40 kg, the recommended dose of Efavirenz depends on body weight. Children weighing 10 to less than 15 kg should receive 200 mg once daily. Those weighing 15 to less than 20 kg should receive 250 mg once daily. Those weighing 20 to less than 25 kg should receive 300 mg once daily. Those weighing 25 to less than 32.5 kg should receive 350 mg once daily. Those weighing 32.5 to less than 40 kg should receive 400 mg once daily. Children weighing 40 kg or more, as well as those weighing more than 40 kg, should receive the same dose used in adults, which is 600 mg once daily.
Side Effects
Efavirenz can cause skin rashes and a range of psychiatric or CNS (central nervous system) effects, including amnesia, agitation, confusion, dizziness, vertigo, headache, a feeling of euphoria, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, abnormal thinking or dreaming, and depersonalisation, as well as convulsions and hallucinations. Other reported effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, fatigue, liver failure, and photoallergic dermatitis (a skin reaction triggered by light). It has also been linked to autoimmune disorders, such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, as well as osteonecrosis (bone tissue death). The medicine may also cause accumulation or redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy), which can appear as central obesity, wasting of fat from the face and limbs, a buffalo hump, breast enlargement, or a cushingoid (steroid-like) appearance. Metabolic abnormalities may also occur, including high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, elevated lactate levels, and insulin resistance.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Use with caution in patients with a history of seizures, psychiatric disorders, or acute porphyria, and in those taking voriconazole or rifampicin (weight ≥50 kg). Stop if severe rash or fever occurs. Use with caution in moderate hepatic and severe renal impairment. Caution in children and pregnancy.
Contraindications
Do not use if hypersensitive to it, in severe liver impairment, or while breastfeeding. Avoid combining with terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, midazolam, triazolam, pimozide, bepridil, ergot alkaloids, or St John's wort.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Efavirenz is classed as Category D in pregnancy. This means there is positive evidence of risk to the human fetus, yet the benefits may still outweigh the risk for some pregnant women. That judgement is usually made when the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation, or for a serious disease where safer medicines cannot be used or do not work.
Lactation
Efavirenz may pass into breast milk and cause serious harm to the baby. It should not be used during lactation.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Paediatric use
Efavirenz has not been studied in children below 3 years of age or in those who weigh less than 10 kg.
Women taking hormone-based birth control
Women shouldn't rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections or implants, because Efavirenz may make these contraceptives ineffective.
Overdose
In an overdose of Efavirenz, the usual adverse CNS effects become stronger, and involuntary muscle contractions can occur. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Activated charcoal may be given.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Delfavir 600 mg
What is Delfavir 600 mg Tablet?
Delfavir 600 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Efavirenz. It is made by Delta Pharma PLC. It belongs to the Drugs for HIV / Anti-retroviral drugs group of medicines.
What is Delfavir used for?
Adiva (efavirenz) is used together with other antiretroviral agents to treat HIV-1 infection. This use rests on plasma HIV-RNA levels and CD4 cell counts measured in controlled studies lasting up to 24 weeks.
What are the side effects of Delfavir?
Efavirenz can cause skin rashes and a range of psychiatric or CNS (central nervous system) effects, including amnesia, agitation, confusion, dizziness, vertigo, headache, a feeling of euphoria, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, abnormal thinking or dreaming, and depersonalisation, as well as convulsions and hallucinations. Other reported effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, fatigue, liver failure, and photoallergic dermatitis (a skin reaction triggered by light).
Can I take Delfavir during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Efavirenz is classed as Category D in pregnancy. This means there is positive evidence of risk to the human fetus, yet the benefits may still outweigh the risk for some pregnant women. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Delfavir?
In an overdose of Efavirenz, the usual adverse CNS effects become stronger, and involuntary muscle contractions can occur. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Can I take other medicines with Delfavir?
Some medicines can interact with Efavirenz, for example: Paclitaxel, Axitinib, Venetoclax, Posaconazole, Voriconazole, Nab-Paclitaxel [Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel]. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Delfavir?
Delfavir is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.