Question
How long do efavirenz side effects last?
5 January 2016. Related: All topics, Changing treatment, Side effects, Starting treatment.
I just started with efavirenz and Truvada 10 days ago. I’m not sleeping properly and feel dizzy all the time.
Is this normal, and when will it get better?
Answer
Hi
The type of side effects you report are pretty common when starting efavirenz.
For most people the dizzyness starts to get easier to tolerate within the first week or two, but it sounds like you may be having a particularly difficult time.
One thing to check is that you are not taking your meds after dinner. Meals that contain a lot of fat increase efavirenz levels by about 60%. Efavirenz should not be take until at least two houf after food that contains a lot of fat. Taking efavirenz before bedtime means you are hopefully sleeping during the side effects.
It is up to you how long you want to give this before trying another drug. Although your clinic might suggest giving it more time, some people change within a week if they are badly affected.
You don’t need to prove anything to anyone by staying on a drug that doesn’t work for you. There are lots of other options and switching is easy.
There is more information on efavirenz at this link.
This answer was updated in January 2016 from a question first posted on 11 June 2011.
Hi,
What you describe sound like side effects that are often associated with Odimune. Side effects usually get better after the first few weeks on a new treatment. This is because your body is getting used to it.
If they don’t improve after a few weeks it is important to let you clinic or doctor know. They can help you work out if your symptoms are side effects or caused by something else. They can also tell you if it is possible to change to different meds.
You can find more information on Odimune here:
http://i-base.info/guides/1561
Hi every one!!
I have been on odimune for two weeks now and I feel dizzy, I sleep most of the time even though I take my meds 3 hours after supper!! Is this normal or is the fact that I have always weighed less than 50 a factor as well!! How long before I can get back to normal??
Hi Disire,
If your boyfriend is HIV+ and you have been having sex without condoms it’s important that you do get tested. This is the only way to know your status. You can read about how the tests work, and about risks of transmission in our testing and transmission guide.
Hi…! In february this year I discovered that my boyfriend is HIV+ bt he ddntt even bother to tell me abt it wen we started dating last year september, now I havnt done the test yet cos I’m scared, I dnt even knw wat will tell the docter!
Hi Daniel. Most people get similar side effects if their HIV combination include a drug called efavirenz. Most people also report that this gets easier after the first few days and weeks. If you are still worried about this please contact your doctor. Here is some more information about the side effects linked to efavirenz.
I started taking arv’s on the 09 July 2013 and I felt horrible that night, could ot even go to work. The bed was turning and my heart was beating fast, it was just horrible. Wake up the next day dizzy, by 11am felt better, don’t know about tonight. I slept most of the day and very hungry
Hi Petros,
Which treatment are you taking? If you are using a combination that contains efavirenz then these side effects are normal. These will usually improve within the first few weeks of treatment. Making sure that you take your treatment at night before bed, and not with a high fat meal, can help make this easier. You can read more about these side effects here.
Do you have any support to help you with your daughters while you are getting used to treatment?
Hi I also started the treatment so I’m struggling the first day I thought I was dying I had a terreble sleep. The next day I was still dizzy completely out of balance. I’m worried cos I stay with my 2 daughters age 9 & 12 so I really don’t know what to expect.
Hi. you did not say which ARVs you are taking, so it is difficult to comment. If your combination includes efavirenz as one of the meds, this can cause dizziness. Most people report this gets better after the first few weeks.
If it doesn’t improve soon, or if it is currently too difficult, talk to your doctor. Other options might be available.
Aslo, please read the information here about efavirenz side effects.
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
Efavirenz needs to be taken at night, and not close to a high-fat meal. These also affect the risk of side effects.
Hi
I have two weeks on arvs but I’m not feeling ok.I’m filing dizziness bt I eat a lot dnt knw hw will take to finish dizziness.