Living with HIV in the Philippines: Email 655: Side Effects of Efavirenz

I have just started my ARV's and I feel not better after taking the efavirenz. I feel dizzy and it seems I'm floating. Is that normal? What should i do to avoid the side effects?

thanks
M

POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi M.

Thank you for your email.

Is it efavirenz? If it is, that's a common side effect of it as it has neurologic effects. I also experienced what you are feeling but it happened only on my first day of taking it. On my second day, it was gone. I just followed what is advised in the literature.

According to the literature in the box one has to take efavirenz on an empty stomach. What does it mean really? What is an empty stomach?

I researched about it and I found out that the process of digestion of food lasts for 3-4 hours. This means that anything in the stomach once the gastric juices are released, will be absorbed in the stomach. If digestion is not triggered, then absorption will be in the small intestine rather than in the stomach.

This also applies for efavirenz. If it is absorbed in the stomach (that is, taking it a few hours after a meal), then the side effects will be more pronounced. If it is absorbed in the small intestine (taking it on an empty stomach, around 3 or more hours after the last meal), then there will be less side effects or no side effects at all.

What I have been doing ever since is I take my last meal before 6 pm and I take my efavirenz at 10pm. This really works well for me. If there are times that I am out with friends and my last meal was at 7 to 9pm, i feel body warmth, itchiness and dizziness. The true side effects of efavirenz.

Well, you can try it out. Anyway, the efficacy of efavirenz doesn't change whether or not you take it with or without meals. Also, some PLHIV's just got used to these and are not bothered by them anymore.

I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.

Stay healthy,

Pozziepinoy

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST??

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy