Neurological Benefits and Side Effects of Long-Term Efavirenz Use

Patients who used efavirenz for >120 weeks generally had modest improvements in neuropsychological performance and slight increases in central nervous system symptom scores.

Efavirenz-based regimens are recommended for initial treatment of HIV infection because of their demonstrated potency and general tolerability. However, central nervous system (CNS) side effects are common, occurring in up to 50% of patients during the first few weeks of use. Some studies suggest that these effects are long-lasting, whereas others, including a substudy of patients randomized to receive efavirenz in AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) study 5095, indicate that the effects are more transient, lasting <4 weeks (JW AIDS Clin Care Dec 14 2005).

To explore the long-term neurological effects of efavirenz, investigators evaluated the 86 patients in ACTG 5095 who received efavirenz for 120 to 184 weeks. Neurocognitive performance (as a…

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Neurological Benefits and Side Effects of Long-Term Efavirenz Use

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Reviewing Author