Efavirenz Dosage

The recommended efavirenz dosage for adults is 600 mg once daily. For children three years and older, dosing is determined by weight (usually ranging from 200 mg to 600 mg daily). Factors that can also affect a person's dose include other medical conditions and if other medications are being taken. It's best to take your efavirenz dose on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime.

 

Efavirenz Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of efavirenz (Sustiva®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Your weight (for children)
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Efavirenz Dosage for Adults and Larger Children

The recommended dose of efavirenz for treating adults and children weighing 88 pounds or more with HIV or AIDS is 600 mg once daily, preferably at bedtime. Efavirenz should be used in combination with other HIV medications as part of an HIV "cocktail" (this is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART).
 
If you are taking certain other medications (see Drug Interactions With Efavirenz), your healthcare provider may recommend a lower dose (300 mg once daily). This dose should be taken as three 100-mg capsules or one 100-mg capsule plus one 200-mg capsule. The manufacturer does not recommend that efavirenz 600 mg tablets be broken or split in half to achieve this dose.
 

Efavirenz Dosage for Children

The recommended dose of efavirenz for treating HIV or AIDS in children three years of age and older is based on weight, as follows:
 
  • 22 to 32.9 pounds -- 200 mg once daily
  • 33 to 43 .9 pounds -- 250 mg once daily
  • 44 to 54.9 pounds -- 300 mg once daily
  • 55 to 71.4 pounds -- 350 mg once daily
  • 71.5 to 87.9 pounds -- 400 mg once daily
  • 88 pounds and over -- 600 mg once daily (the usual adult dose).
     
(Efavirenz Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;