The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
The following side effects were reported in adults taking this medication with other HIV ARVs. Side effects might differ in children.
- Rash (5-16%)
- Diarrhea (3-14%)
- Pain (1-13%)
- Higher triglyceride (fat) levels (6-11%)
- Low white blood cell count (2-10%)
- Nausea (2-10%)
- Dizziness (2-9%)
- Feeling tired (2-8%)
- Higher liver enzymes (5-8%)
- Headache (2-8%)
- Difficulty sleeping (7%)
- Vomiting (3-6%)
- Trouble concentrating (3-5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Abnormal dreams
- Indigestion
- Belly pain
- Feeling nervous
- Weight loss
- Feeling weak
- Itching
Efavirenz serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions: fever, rash, general discomfort, muscle or joint pain, mouth sores, blisters, facial swelling
- Liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool
- Abnormal heart rhythm: chest pounding, trouble breathing, chest pain, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Mood problems: anxiety, confusion, agitated, restlessness, depressed, hallucination(s)
- Thoughts of self-harm
Source: DailyMed
The following Efavirenz side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach pain
blistering
changes in vision
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
dark urine
delusions
double vision
fainting
fast or pounding heartbeat
fever or chills
headache (severe and throbbing)
inappropriate behavior
loss of appetite
mood or mental changes (severe)
muscle cramps or pain
nausea or vomiting
nerve pain
open sores
pain, tenderness, bluish color, or swelling of the leg or foot
rapid weight gain
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
sense of constant movement of self or surroundings
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
speech disorder
swelling or tenderness in the upper abdominal or stomach area
swelling of the hands, arms, feet, or legs
thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide
tightness in the chest
tingling, burning, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
tingling, burning, or prickling sensations
troubled breathing
unusual tiredness
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Actions that are out of control
attack, assault, or force
continuing vomiting
decreased awareness or responsiveness
delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
difficult or labored breathing
early appearance of redness or swelling of the skin
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
irregular heartbeat recurrent
irritability
late appearance of rash with or without weeping blisters that become crusted, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, may extend to unexposed areas
light-colored stools
mimicry of speech or movements
mutism
negativism
nervousness
peculiar postures or movements, mannerisms, or grimacing
severe sleepiness
talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare
Abnormally decreased sensitivity, particularly to touch
agitation or anxiety
belching
change in sense of taste or smell
false sense of well-being
flaking and falling off of the skin
flushing
general feeling of discomfort
indigestion
joint pain
lack of feeling or emotion
loss of hair
loss of memory
loss of sense of reality
mood changes
painful, red, hot, or irritated hair follicles
ringing in the ears
stomach discomfort
unusual dreams
weakness
Incidence not known
Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, or around the chest and stomach area
lose fat from the legs, arms, and face
sensation of spinning
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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