Sustiva: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When you hear Sustiva, a brand-name antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV infection. Also known as efavirenz, it's one of the older but still used medicines in the fight against HIV. It doesn’t cure HIV, but it stops the virus from multiplying, helping your immune system stay strong. People on Sustiva often take it with other HIV drugs as part of a combo therapy—because using just one drug lets the virus adapt and resist.

Sustiva works by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to copy itself, called reverse transcriptase. That’s why it’s called a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, or NNRTI. It’s usually taken once a day, often at bedtime, because dizziness and vivid dreams are common side effects—especially in the first few weeks. Many people get used to these, but if they don’t fade, talk to your doctor. Sustiva isn’t for everyone. It can interact with other meds, including some antidepressants, birth control, and even herbal supplements like St. John’s wort. If you’re on other drugs, your provider needs to check for clashes.

While Sustiva was once a first-choice HIV drug, newer options like Dolutegravir or Rilpivirine now often take its place. Why? They tend to have fewer side effects, less drug interaction risk, and higher success rates. But Sustiva still has a role—especially where cost or access limits options. In some countries, it’s a cornerstone of public HIV programs because it’s cheap and effective when taken right. Still, if you’re starting treatment today, your doctor will likely suggest something newer unless there’s a specific reason not to.

What you’ll find in the articles below isn’t just about Sustiva alone. It’s about how HIV meds work together, what happens when side effects hit, and how people manage long-term treatment. You’ll see comparisons with other drugs, real talk about daily life on antiretrovirals, and what to watch for when switching or combining treatments. This isn’t theory—it’s what people actually deal with when managing HIV every day.