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 started atroiza last month since then a have this bad itching and tingling all over my body and i cant sleep. how long long will that last ?
Hi Sibongile,
Can you call the clinic and ask to switch to other meds? If you’re not having side effects it can make taking them much easier. Here are the frequent questions about side effects.
i am taking tribuss and stopped because the side effects were terrible but i want to start taking my meds properly… please help
Hi Charmaine,
Sleep problems are a common side effect with Odimune. If you are still having problems with Odimune you can ask your doctor to change meds. Efavirenz is the main drug in Odimune. Here are Simon’s tips for taking it.
Hi i just started odimune im now used to dizzyness but i just tarted to sleep walk and sleep eg:on the floor so i want to know is sleeping walking a normal side effect?
Hi Phiwo,
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you think that side effects are affecting your quality of life. You can ask to switch from your current meds to ARVs that work better for you.
i hate the feeling when is it gonna STOP
Hi Anele,
As Simon says here, for most people this dizzyness starts to get easier to tolerate within the first week or two. And if you are taking it at bed time it should be at least 2 hours after food that has a lot of fat.
Can you talk to your doctor about switching to different meds that would suit you individually?
Hy i started taking tribuss i feel dizzy after an hour of taking its even in the morning i do not feel stable i feel abit weak what can help to improving my wellbeing
Hi Dorcas, what does your doctor say about this? Any rash is something your doctor needs to see. This may not be a side effect of the HIV meds. It might be something different.