azithromycin vs efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of azithromycin and efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.5 Drugs Without Clinically Significant Interactions with Efavirenz No dosage adjustment is recommended when efavirenz is given with the following: aluminum/magnesium hydroxide antacids, azithromycin, cetirizine, famotidine, fluconazole, lorazepam, nelfinavir, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (abacavir, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, zidovudine), paroxetine, and raltegravir.
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria. It is used to treat many different types of infections.
Efavirenz is a drug used to treat HIV-1 infection. It belongs to a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI).
Azithromycin treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. In adults, it can treat bronchitis, sinus infections, skin infections, urethritis, cervicitis, and genital ulcers. In children over 6 months old, it can treat ear infections and pneumonia. It can also treat pharyngitis/tonsillitis in children 2 years and older.
Efavirenz is used to treat HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. It helps to lower the amount of virus in your body. This medicine must be used with other HIV medicines.
Azithromycin belongs to a class of drugs called macrolide antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
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.
- • Diarrhea (5-14%)
- • Nausea (3-18%)
- • Abdominal pain (3-7%)
- • Vomiting (2-7%)
- • Rash
- • Dizziness
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- Dyspnoea 3,059
- Nausea 2,232
- Pain 2,205
- Pneumonia 2,085
- Cough 2,031
- Virologic Failure 952
- Drug Interaction 748
- Drug Resistance 735
- Viral Mutation Identified 674
- Pathogen Resistance 623
This drug can cause serious allergic reactions, liver problems, and heart rhythm changes. Tell your doctor right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, like rash or swelling. Also, tell your doctor if you have liver problems, heart problems, or muscle weakness.
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.
Studies haven't shown major risks to the baby during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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.
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How to Read This azithromycin vs efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir Comparison
azithromycin is classified in the Macrolide Antibiotic drug class, while efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir sits within the NNRTI / NRTI Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, azithromycin has 11,612 submissions while efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir has 3,732. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to there is no significant interaction between these two drugs that would change how they work in your body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for azithromycin or efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.