Abarelix
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Drug reference
Efavirenz
Antiretroviral
Also known as EFV
Antiretroviral
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
Information on the teratogenic potential of most antiretroviral drugs is limited; however, it is a recommended third drug in ART regimens for pregnant women living with HIV, to be continued if conceived on or started during pregnancy, following careful specialist assessment to minimise vertical transmission.
FDA category + note
Top interactionssee all 12 →
- AbarelixSevereDatabaseDDInter
- AdenosineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- AlfuzosinSevereDatabaseDDInter
- AlimemazineSevereDatabaseDDInter
Mechanism
Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
Indications
HIV infectionHIV-AIDSHIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients aged 3 months and older and weighing at least 3.5 kgHIV infection (in combination regimens, preferred NNRTI in developed countries, included in first line triple drug regimen by NACO)
Dosing
- Adult
- adults with antiretroviral therapy available at www.bhiva.org/ guidelines. There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug.…
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
40–55
Bioavailability
50%
Protein binding
99%
Metabolism
CYP2B6 > 3A4
Excretion
<3% (renal, unchanged)
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- women likely to get pregnant
Side effects
Common
dizzinessimpaired concentrationdysphoriavivid or disturbing dreamsinsomniarashheadacheincreased hepatic transaminaseselevated serum cholesterolrashesneuropsychiatric symptoms
Serious
- drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Information on the teratogenic potential of most antiretroviral drugs is limited; however, it is a recommended third drug in ART regimens for pregnant women living with HIV, to be continued if conceived on or started during pregnancy, following careful specialist assessment to minimise vertical transmission.
Lactation
Breast-feeding by HIV-positive mothers may cause HIV infection in the infant and should be avoided.
Drug interactions
Adenosine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Alfuzosin
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Alimemazine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Amisulpride
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Amitriptyline
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Amoxapine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Anagrelide
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Apomorphine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Arsenic Trioxide
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Artemether
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Asenapine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: metabolism
Source: DDInter
Related guidelines
Antiretroviral therapy for HIV
NACO · Infectious Diseases · 2018
Childhood pneumonia and respiratory infection
MOHFW · Paediatrics · 2021
Skin and soft tissue infections
IDSA · Infectious Diseases · 2010
Hepatitis B — chronic infection
EASL · Gastroenterology · 2025
Urinary tract infection
EAU · Urology · 2024
Other Antiretroviral drugs
Ask House about Efavirenz
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-13 · House clinical team