What
is Sustiva used for?
- Sustiva
is used in combination with other anti-HIV medications to treat HIV
infection.
- Sustiva
is not a cure for HIV infection. You
may continue to develop infections and other complications associated
with HIV disease. There
are no data that Sustiva can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to
others through sexual contact or blood contamination.
Special
Warnings Concerning Sustiva:
- Sustiva should not be taken alone to treat HIV. Because
resistance to the HIV virus can occur quickly with single drug
treatment, Sustiva should always be taken in combination with at least
one other anti-HIV medication. If
your current treatment is not working, Sustiva should not be added by
itself.
- Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become
pregnant, are pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You
should not become pregnant or breast-feed while taking Sustiva. Before
starting Sustiva, women capable of having children should take a
pregnancy test. While
taking Sustiva you should always use a barrier form of birth control
(e.g., condom, diaphragm) along with another effective method of birth
control (e.g., oral birth control pill).
- Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with Sustiva.
Review all medications that you are taking with your health
care provider, including prescription and non-prescription medication,
and herbal products. There
are potential drug interactions that can cause serious side effects.
You must not take Sustiva with:
- astemizole
- cisapride
- midazolam
- triazolam
- ergot
derivatives
- Doses of other medications may need to be adjusted.
General
Precautions with Sustiva:
- The long-term effects of Sustiva on HIV infection are not known at
this time.
- Tell your health care provider right away if you experience
delusions, unusual behavior, or suddenly feel depressed.
- Avoid taking Sustiva while using alcohol or drugs that affect the
mind or behavior.
- Sustiva may cause dizziness, problems concentrating and/or
drowsiness. Therefore, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until
you know how you will react to Sustiva.
- Sustiva may cause a skin rash in the first or second week of
treatment. The rash
generally lasts less than a month. However,
some patients develop a severe rash with blistering. Rash
occurs more frequently in children than adults. In
a small number of patients rash may be severe. If
you develop a skin rash tell your health care provider.
- If you have or have a history of hepatitis, or if you are taking
other medications that are harmful to the liver, see your health care
provider for regular monitoring.
- Your health care provider may want to check your cholesterol levels
regularly while you are taking Sustiva.
What
are some possible side effects of Sustiva? (This is not a complete list of side effects reported with
Sustiva. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete
list of side effects.)
Tell
your health care provider about any side effects you have.
If
you experience dizziness, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, unusual
dreams, or trouble sleeping, tell your health care provider. These
symptoms can begin during the first few days of taking Sustiva and usually
go away after 2-4 weeks of treatment. Taking Sustiva at bedtime can help,
and is recommended for the first few weeks of treatment
Skin
rash is a common side effect of Sustiva especially in children. (See
General Precautions)
Other
side effects may include:
- upset stomach
- dizziness
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling tired
- vomiting
- trouble sleeping
- headache
- diarrhea
For
more detailed information about Sustiva, ask your health care provider.
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