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.
I’ve been taking tribuss for 2 and a half weeks now, at night before I sleep. I have this rush all over my arms now it’s going to my chest. What does it mean? Should I be worried?
Hi Carol,
Feling tiered and drowsy is common when starting ARVs that contain efavirenz. They usually go within a few weeks. For more info please see Q3 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I started my treatment two weeks ago. I always feel tired and drowsy and its like I’m losing my mind. I’m taking one pill that contains Tenovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg,Emtricitabine 200mg and Efavirenz 600mg. How long will this side effect?
Hi Ntomboxolo,
The pain in your right leg could be being caused by many things. Therefore, I suggest that you speak to a doctor about this.
I’ve been taking meds since last June. I’m now pregnant.I have a really bad pain in my right leg that I can’t tolerate.
Hi Zinhle.
If you’re combination contains efavirenz its very possible that you could be having these sort of side effects. For more info please see here:
http://i-base.info/guides/side/cns-side-effects
These should go within a few weeks, or they should get easier to tolerate. If you are still having these feelings, and sensations, then you should go and speak to a doctor.
I started my medication last month, but now I feel weak and I feel like I’m losing my mind, is it normal?
Hi Jake,
Its common that it can take a while for a persons body to adjust to their ARVs. This should however, get better within a few weeks. When you say weak, what is it that you mean?
I’ve been taking my meds now for 3 weeks. I feel weak, when will this stop? I take then at night.
Hi Zann,
Its not common to start experiencing side effects after having taken ARVs for a long time. This is not to say though that this can’t happen.
If you can, it might be worth having your CD4 and viral load checked. This may give an indication as to why you are suddenly experiencing side effects. I would also talk to your doctor about this.