efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
Brand names: Atripla
Efavirenz is a drug used to treat HIV-1 infection. It belongs to a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI).
What it does
Efavirenz is used to treat HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS.
Common side effects
Rash, Dizziness, Nausea
Key warnings
Efavirenz can cause serious side effects, including psychiatric problems like depression or suicidal thoughts.
How It Works
Efavirenz blocks an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. HIV needs this enzyme to make copies of itself. By blocking it, efavirenz helps to slow down the spread of HIV in your body.
How to Take It
Take efavirenz once a day on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime. Adults usually take 600 mg. If you take rifampin, your efavirenz dose may need to be increased to 800 mg. For children, the dose is based on weight.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Efavirenz can harm your unborn baby, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about using birth control while taking this medicine. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking efavirenz.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store efavirenz tablets at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,041 FDA adverse event reports.
Serious Warnings
Efavirenz can cause serious side effects, including psychiatric problems like depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Efavirenz can also harm your liver. Your doctor should check your liver function before and during treatment. Do not take efavirenz by itself.
Known Drug Interactions
Anti-infective: Clarithromycin ↓ clarithromycin * ↑ 14-OH metabolite * Consider alternatives to macrolide antibiotics because of the risk of QT interval prolongation.
Mechanism: This combination can change how the antibiotic is processed and may cause a dangerous heart rhythm problem.
What to do: Your doctor should consider using a different type of antibiotic to avoid these heart risks.
Velpatasvir/ Sofosbuvir ↓ velpatasvir Co-administration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir Velpatasvir /Sofosbuvir/Voxilaprevir ↓ velpatasvir ↓ voxilaprevir Co-administration of efavirenz and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir is not recommended because it may result in loss of therapeutic effect of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir.
Mechanism: One medicine lowers the amount of the hepatitis C drug in your body, which can stop it from working correctly.
What to do: This combination is not recommended because it may cause your hepatitis C treatment to fail.
Posaconazole ↓ posaconazole* Avoid concomitant use unless the benefit outweighs the risks.
Mechanism: Efavirenz causes the body to break down posaconazole more quickly, which lowers the amount of medicine available to fight infections.
What to do: Avoid using these drugs together unless your doctor decides the benefits are greater than the risks.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: Atorvastatin Pravastatin Simvastatin ↓ atorvastatin * ↓ pravastatin * ↓ simvastatin * Plasma concentrations of atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin decreased.
Mechanism: The HIV medicine makes your body process the cholesterol drug more quickly, lowering its level in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to check your cholesterol levels and adjust your dose to make sure the medicine is working.
Antidepressant: Bupropion Sertraline ↓bupropion* ↓ sertraline * Increases in bupropion dosage should be guided by clinical response. Increases in sertraline dosage should be guided by clinical response.
Mechanism: Taking these drugs together can lower the amount of the antidepressant in your body.
What to do: Your doctor may need to increase your dose of the antidepressant if your symptoms do not improve.
Common Questions
Can I take efavirenz by itself?
What should I do if I start feeling depressed or suicidal?
Does efavirenz interact with other medications?
Can I drink alcohol while taking efavirenz?
What if I have liver problems?
How often will my doctor check my liver?
Can efavirenz cause rash?
Should I take efavirenz with food?
What if I am taking voriconazole?
What if I am taking rifampin?
What are the common side effects of efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir?
Does efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir interact with other medications?
What drug class is efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir?
Is efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in NNRTI / NRTI Combination
Other drugs grouped near efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acyclovir
Zovirax
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine.
Compare with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir →
albendazole
Albenza
Albendazole is a medicine that fights parasites.
Compare with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir →
amphotericin B
Ambisome, Fungizone
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir →
anidulafungin
Eraxis
Eraxis is an antifungal medicine.
Compare with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir →
atovaquone/proguanil
Malarone
Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Compare with efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir →
Compare efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir vs acyclovir side-by-side →
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What the FDA Data Shows for efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
The FDA label for efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (sold under brand names such as Atripla) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the NNRTI / NRTI Combination class. Efavirenz is used to treat HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Rash, Dizziness, Nausea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,041 voluntary reports. The database also lists 32 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: June 28, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages