What is Sustiva prescribed for?

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.

Warnings for People taking 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 doctor 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).
• tell your doctor what medications you are taking, including those that you take without a prescription. 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 to take when on Sustiva:

• The long-term effects of Sustiva on HIV infection are not known at this time.
• It is important to inform your doctor immediately 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 have reported that they 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 doctor.
• If you have or have a history of hepatitis, or if you are taking other medications that are harmful to the liver, see your doctor for regular monitoring.
• Your doctor may want to check your cholesterol levels regularly while you are taking Sustiva.

What side effects can you expect when taking Sustiva? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Sustiva. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..) Tell your doctor about any side effects you have.

If you experience dizziness, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, unusual dreams, or trouble sleeping, tell your doctor. 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 weeks of treatment

Skin rash is a common side effect of Sustiva especially in children.

Some other side effects that you may experience while on this medication are:

• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling tired
• Vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Headache
• Diarrhea

For more detailed information about Sustiva, ask your doctor.