Efavirenz poisoning in a 12 year old HIV negative African boy

Abstract

Efavirenz is an oral antiretroviral drug in the class of non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [1-3]. Toxicity at therapeutic doses has been documented and it includes psychiatric symptoms like insomnia, confusion, memory loss, depression and more serious symptoms such as psychosis may occur in patients with compromised liver or kidney function [1-3]. Other side effects including skin rash, nausea, dizziness and headache may occur [1]. There is scarcity of data on presentation of Efavirenz overdose at very high levels. This child took 7.5 times the recommended dose for her weight of 35 kilograms and had a very unique presentation. We set out to describe a case of accidental Efavirenz poisoning in a 12 year old HIV negative child and to share experiences in its presentation and management.

Keywords

• efavirenz
• poisoning
• intoxication
• adverse reaction
• hiv