efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate at a glance
Medicine class
One non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor with two nucleoside or nucleotide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors.
Licensed role
Maintenance treatment for selected adults with stably suppressed HIV-1 and no relevant previous virological failure or resistance.
Food
Take on an empty stomach because food can increase efavirenz exposure and adverse effects.
Bedtime administration
Bedtime administration may make nervous-system effects easier to tolerate.
Important monitoring
HIV viral load, kidney function, serum phosphate, liver function and mental health may require review.
What is efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate used for?
This product has a restricted licensed role rather than being a general starting treatment for HIV.
Maintenance treatment of HIV-1 infection in selected adults whose viral load is already suppressed.
Use is limited to people without previous virological failure or known resistance that significantly affects its components.
It is not licensed as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis.
How does efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate work?
Efavirenz disrupts HIV reverse transcriptase. Activated emtricitabine and tenofovir compete with its normal building blocks and terminate growing viral DNA chains. This suppresses viral replication but does not eliminate HIV from the body.
efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 600 mg + 200 mg + 245 mg
How to take efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate
Follow the HIV clinic’s directions and do not alter or stop treatment independently.
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water.
Take it on an empty stomach.
Bedtime administration may improve tolerability of dizziness, abnormal dreams, impaired concentration or sleepiness.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness, poor concentration or sleepiness occurs.
efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, headache, sleepiness or impaired concentration
- Abnormal dreams, insomnia, anxiety or low mood
- Rash or itching
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort or indigestion
- Tiredness or weakness
- Changes in liver enzymes, blood glucose, triglycerides or phosphate
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe depression, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, hallucinations or seizures
- Blistering or peeling rash, mucosal sores, fever or facial swelling
- Liver inflammation or failure
- Kidney injury or proximal renal tubulopathy
- Lactic acidosis or pancreatitis
- Severe allergic reaction
efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate in pregnancy
Anyone who is pregnant, could be pregnant or is planning pregnancy should contact their HIV team promptly and not stop treatment without specialist advice. The product information says pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and use during pregnancy should occur only when the clinical condition requires this combination.
efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate while breastfeeding
The components pass into breast milk, and the product information says this combination should not be used while breastfeeding. Formula feeding eliminates postnatal HIV transmission risk; anyone wishing to breastfeed requires specialist planning and close monitoring because transmission risk is not zero.
efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate interactions
A pharmacist or HIV specialist should check all prescribed, non-prescription, herbal and recreational substances.
St John’s wort
Contraindicated because it can lower efavirenz concentrations and reduce antiviral effect.
Voriconazole
Contraindicated because each medicine substantially alters the other’s exposure and the fixed combination cannot be adjusted.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Co-administration is contraindicated because of the risk of a serious abnormal heart rhythm.
Common questions about efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil succinate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
Maintenance treatment for selected adults whose HIV-1 is already stably suppressed and whose treatment and resistance history meet the product criteria.
Does it cure HIV?
No. It suppresses HIV replication but does not remove HIV from the body.
Is it used for PrEP or PEP?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.