Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon – president of the AIDS Society of the Philippines and current Chief of Clinics of Sta. Ana Hospital – answers all your HIV-related inquiries. For all your questions, email josescon1@gmail.com or info@outragemag.com.
Dear Doc,
It’s been over a year and my vivid dreams are as vivid as ever – said to be one of the effects of Efavirenz. Considering that this effect is supposed to last only a few weeks or even months, but I’m still having this almost two years since I started taking Efavirenz, should I already worry?
Vivid Dreamer
Efavirenz – EFV (otherwise known as Sustiva) – has common side effects that occur in the brain. Trials have revealed 14% to 50% of people who are on Efavirenz medication develop side effects in the first few months (at around two to four weeks) of treatment, such as drowsiness, insomnia, dizziness, impaired concentration, and hallucinations. We can include vivid dreams and nightmares. After close to a month, these should diminish remarkably.
However, there are studies that show that the bad dreams could persist for up to over six months.
What is the recommendation?
In your case, now that it has been two years since you first took Efavirenz, it may be best to again consult and talk with your HIV specialists about these side effects and how much it has contributed to your over all productiveness and comfort. If these stark realities with intake of Efavirenz affect the client’s lifestyle, then it is most ideal for the HIV specialists to offer other ARV options due to its disturbing side effects. Otherwise, these are the risks we have to face when continuing to take EFV,
