Easing into Efavirenz

More than half of patients starting the antiretroviral drug efavirenz experience neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs). These events include dizziness, a feeling of drunkenness or hangover, nightmares, and sleep disorders; impaired concentration, mood changes, and severe psychiatric symptoms also have been reported. While NPAEs usually do not require efavirenz withdrawal, they are sometimes intense or long-lasting enough to necessitate treatment interruption.