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What is Sustiva?


Sustiva is an antiviral drug used with other medicines in the treatment of HIV.  It is in a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.  

How does Sustiva Work?


Sustiva will not cure HIV or AIDS, but it can help keep HIV from reproducing.  This slows down the destruction of the immune system and helps to delay the development of problems that result from HIV infection.

HIV works by infecting the cells in the body and coping its genetic code into the cells’ DNA.  This programs the cell to make more copies of the virus.  HIV must first convert it’s RNA into DNA in order to infect T-cells.  The reverse transcriptase enzyme is needed to perform this process.  Sustiva attaches to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and prevents RNA from becoming DNA.  This prevents the cell from producing new viruses.

What should I discuss with my Healthcare Provider?


You should inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

Liver disease
History of mental illness or depression
High blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides

If you have any of the conditions above then your doctor may have to adjust your dose or require special monitoring.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.  It is unknown if Sustiva will be harmful to an unborn baby.

Do not use Sustiva if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.  The active ingredient of Sustiva is efavirenz.  The inactive ingredients of the capsules are:

lactose monohydrate
magnesium stearate
sodium lauryl sulfate
sodium starch glycolate
gelatin
sodium lauryl sulfate
titanium dioxide
yellow iron oxide.
silicon dioxide
carmine 40 blue
FD&C Blue No. 2

The inactive ingredients of the tablets are:

croscarmellose sodium
hydroxypropyl cellulose
lactose monohydrate
magnesium stearate
microcrystalline cellulose
sodium lauryl sulfate
Opadry Yellow
Opadry Clear
Opacode

Is Sustiva a cure for AIDS?


Sustiva will not cure HIV infection or AIDS.  It can however improve your immune system so that opportunistic infections are less prevalent.  A person can still be susceptible to OI’s such as pneumonia, bacteria infections and any other conditions common with HIV infection.  Sustiva does not help to prevent the virus from infecting other people through unprotected sex, or sharing needles.

Using Sustiva


Sustiva should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor.  Do not modify or stop taking Sustiva without talking to a healthcare professional.  Each full dose should be taken with a glass of water and with or without food.  If you take Sustiva at bedtime then it may minimize the side effects.  It is important not to miss a dose of this medication as it can cause drug resistance to develop.  If you do miss a dose then take the missed dose right away.  Unless it is time for your next dose, then just skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

 Click here to see Sustiva Side Effects.
 
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