Favir

Favir is a drug with the international and chemical name Efavirenz. Let's consider the features of this drug, indications for use, dosage, side effects and interaction with other drugs.

Favir is a hard, opaque gelatin capsule. Each capsule of Favir contains a yellowish crystalline powder. The active substance of the drug is efavirenz. One capsule of Favir contains 200 mg of efavirenz.

The drug also contains auxiliary substances such as: lactose, corn starch, hard gelatin shell, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, methylparaben and propylparaben. The pharmacotherapeutic group of favir is antiviral drugs.

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Indications Favir

Indications for use of Favir are HIV infection. If, when taking Favir, the patient experiences moderate symptoms of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient efavirenz, the drug is replaced with antihistamines.

The drug is part of the complex treatment of HIV infection. Favir has an effective effect on the body, but has many contraindications for use. The active substance efavirenz can impair concentration. Therefore, when taking the drug, it is recommended to refrain from driving vehicles and working with mechanisms and automatic equipment.

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Release form

The release form of favir is gelatin capsules. The advantage of this release form is obvious, since when the capsule gets inside, the gelatin layer quickly dissolves, and the substance spreads throughout the body. Due to this, the drug has an antiviral effect much faster than drugs, the dosage form of which is tablets.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of Favir allows you to learn about the biochemical effects that the drug has on the human body and viral infections. Favir is a non-nucleoside selective inhibitor. The drug suppresses the activity of viral enzymes and prevents the transcription of viral RNA along the complementary DNA chain. Due to this, the drug protects the body from viral infection and does not allow it to take a chronic form.

Pharmacodynamics Favir controls the processes of distribution of the main active substance throughout the body and its effect on viral infections and infectious diseases.

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Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of Favir is based on the processes that occur with the drug in the body. This is the process of absorption of the drug, metabolism and the period of elimination of the active substance. Favir has moderate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended not to take the drug during meals, since fatty foods reduce the bioavailability of the drug.

The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is observed four hours after administration. The drug is completely bound to proteins in the blood plasma. At the same time, the drug poorly penetrates the blood-brain barrier. Favir is metabolized in the liver and excreted in feces or urine. The half-life of the drug is from 45 to 75 hours.

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Dosing and administration

The method of administration and dosage of the drug are prescribed by the doctor when drawing up a treatment regimen for the patient's disease. As a rule, Favir is prescribed in combination with other drugs. For adults, the recommended dose of Favir is 600 mg per day. For children and adolescents, the dose of the drug depends on weight and age.

The recommended dose for children is 600 mg per day with a weight of more than 40 kg. The drug is prohibited to be taken during meals. If side effects or symptoms of overdose are observed during the administration of the drug, then the drug is taken only at night.

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Use Favir during pregnancy

The use of Favir during pregnancy is not recommended. However, according to studies, the drug does not affect the development of the baby. In addition, Favir reduces the risk of transplacental transmission of the virus. Favir is also not allowed to be taken during breastfeeding, since the drug penetrates into breast milk, which means it enters the baby's body.

The drug is also prescribed to children who are over three years old and weigh more than 13 kilograms. The drug has the same therapeutic effect as on adult patients. But children are more likely to experience side effects of the drug. As a rule, these are skin rashes, itching, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of Favir are based on individual intolerance to the drug and the substances that are part of it. Let's consider a number of absolute contraindications to taking the drug Favir.

• Pregnancy
• Lactation period
• Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug Favir
• Renal failure
• Liver diseases
• Viral hepatitis
• Addiction
• The patient is under three years of age
• Alcoholism
• Body weight less than 13 kg
• Encephalopathy.

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Side effects Favir

As a rule, side effects of Favir occur with an overdose of the drug or hypersensitivity to the components. So, when using Favir, you may experience itching, burning, skin rash. In rare cases, patients develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The main side effects of Favir:

• Dizziness, insomnia, increased fatigue, decreased concentration, neuralgia, neuropathy.
• Problems with the urinary system, formation of kidney stones, hematuria.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Problems with the liver and pancreas, pancreatitis, hepatitis, increased transaminase activity.
• Hypoglycemia, suffocation.

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Overdose

Overdose of the drug increases side effects. The nervous system is particularly affected by overdose; in some cases, the patient may experience involuntary muscle twitching.

Also, in case of overdose, patients experience allergic reactions on the skin. To relieve symptoms of overdose, it is recommended to stop using favir and seek medical help. To speed up the process of drug elimination, it is recommended to take activated carbon. There is no specific antidote for drug elimination.

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Interactions with other drugs

Interaction of Favir with other drugs is permitted, since Favir is included in complex antiviral treatment. The drug interacts well with such drugs as: saquinavir, amprenavir, indinavir.

When taking Favir with clarithromycin at the same time, the level of the latter in the blood decreases by 30%. At the same time, the risk of side effects, allergic skin reactions and rashes increases significantly. When selecting drugs for complex treatment, the doctor selects such drugs to minimize side effects for the patient.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for Favir include a special temperature regime, up to 25 degrees Celsius, protection from sunlight and storage of the drug out of the reach of children.

If the rules for storing the drug are not followed, the medicine loses its physical and chemical properties, which significantly affects the treatment process. In addition, if Favir is stored incorrectly, the patient may experience a number of side effects of the drug.

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Shelf life

The shelf life of Favir is two years from the date of manufacture of the drug, which is indicated on the package. After the expiration date, the drug must be disposed of. The drug is prohibited to use after the expiration date, as unexpected side effects and reactions of the body are possible.

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