1 May 2026Oral drugs
Efavirenz = EFV = EFZ oral
Efavirenz guidance for HIV treatment in combination therapy, including weight-based pediatric dosing and neuropsychiatric precautions.
Prescription under medical supervision
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Antiretroviral, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.
Indications
HIV infection, in combination with other antiretrovirals.
Forms and strengths
- 200 mg capsule.
- 600 mg tablet.
Dose
The daily dose is administered once daily.
- Child 3 to < 5 kg: 200 mg once daily.
- Child 5 to < 7.5 kg: 250 mg once daily.
- Child 7.5 to < 15 kg: 300 mg once daily.
- Child 15 to < 20 kg: 350 mg once daily.
- Child 20 to < 25 kg: 400 mg once daily.
- Child 25 to < 32.5 kg: 450 mg once daily.
- Child 32.5 to < 40 kg: 500 mg once daily.
- Child >= 40 kg and adult: 600 mg once daily.
| Weight | Daily dose | Tablets or capsules |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to < 14 kg | 200 mg | 1 tab 200 mg or 1 cap 200 mg |
| 14 to < 25 kg | 300 mg | 1 tab 200 mg + ½ tab 200 mg |
| 25 to < 35 kg | 400 mg | 2 tab 200 mg or 2 cap 200 mg |
| ≥ 35 kg | 400 mg or 600 mg | 2 tab 200 mg or 2 cap 200 mg or 1 tab 600 mg |
Duration
Depending on the efficacy and tolerance of efavirenz.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Administer with caution to patients with hepatic impairment or history of mental health disorders or seizures.
- May cause dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, abnormal dreams, confusion, anxiety, depression, headache, skin rash, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- May also cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, hepatic disorders, and rarely suicidal ideation or psychosis.
- Monitor combination with anticonvulsants, rifampicin, azoles, methadone, and hormonal contraceptives because interactions are clinically important.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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