Children

Efavirenz (Sustiva) is approved in the European Union and the United States for use in HIV-infected children aged three years and over. For children who weigh less than 40kg, the dose is adjusted for weight. A syrup formulation is available for children who find capsules difficult to take. Efavirenz has not been evaluated in children under three years of age or below 10kg in weight .

Several studies have reported sub-therapeutic levels of plasma efavirenz concentrations in children on efavirenz-based therapy. To avoid treatment failure and the emergence of efavirenz-resistant mutations, it has been recommended that the current recommended dosing guidelines be re-visited.1

References

  1. Ren Y et al. High prevalence of subtherapeutic plasma concentrations of efavirenz in children. J Acquire Immune Defic Syndr 45(2): 133-136, 2007
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