Among patients who started antiretroviral therapy, there was no evidence of higher risk for depression or suicidal ideation associated with efavirenz versus nevirapine.
Because of concerns about neuropsychiatric adverse events associated with efavirenz, including depression and suicidal ideation (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jul 8 2014; [e-pub] and Ann Intern Med 2014; 161:1, treatment guidelines from the Departments of Health and Human Services no longer recommend it as a first-line agent for HIV treatment. However, efavirenz continues to be the most commonly prescribed third drug of antiretroviral regimens throughout the world. Investigators studied a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) starting antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda with either efavirenz or nevirapine as part of regular care.
A total of 694 patients (mean age, 33 years; median CD4 count, 1.8 × 109 cells/L) were included: 305 in the efavirenz a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse
Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)