Short-Term Neuropsychiatric Side Effects: Etravirine vs. Efavirenz

Among treatment-naive patients, etravirine was associated with fewer short-term neuropsychiatric side effects than efavirenz, but overall clinical outcomes were similar.

Efavirenz is a cornerstone of many antiretroviral regimens because of its efficacy, once-daily dosing, and tolerability, but in some patients, it can cause troublesome neuropsychiatric problems. To determine whether etravirine might lead to fewer such problems, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study among HIV-infected treatment-naive patients. The study was sponsored by the maker of etravirine.

A total of 157 patients received etravirine (dosed at 400 mg once daily) or efavirenz, each together with two nucleosides; 60% received tenofovir/FTC, 26% received abacavir/3TC, and 14% received AZT/3TC. The study population was 81% men and 85% white. Median age was 36; median baseline CD4 count, 302 cells/mm³; and …

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

Short-Term Neuropsychiatric Side Effects: Etravirine vs. Efavirenz

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Reviewing Author