Discontinuation of efavirenz therapy in HIV patients due to neuropsychiatric adverse effects

Abstract

Discontinuation of EFV occurs in more than half the treated patients. Neuropsychiatric adverse effects are by far the most common reasons for discontinuation. Discontinuation occurs late in the course of treatment suggesting persistence of central nervous system toxicity, which may impact quality of life negatively on a long-term basis. The role of EFV as a first-line ART agent should be reconsidered in the current guidelines, in particular due to the availability of other equally effective, but less toxic, ART agents.