Ministry gives warning on Effavirenz ARV

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 24, 2010 00:00

The warning comes after reports from Bokaa villagers that some users are taking the Effavirenz together with marijuana while others grind the drug, burn it and inhale the smoke to get high.

Principal public relations officer in the Health Ministry, Temba Sibanda said while they have not yet received reports of ARV abuse, it would be unwise for people living with HIV to use the drug in that manner.

He however confirmed that Effavirenz does have negative effects similar to marijuana. 'Even when Effavirenz is taken orally, not smoked, it can make one dizzy and is said to mimic some effects of marijuana use,' warned Sibanda.

The drugs.com website states that Effavirenz can cause side effects that include abnormal thinking, confusion, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, paranoid thinking, and thoughts of suicide.

Normally, Effavirenz is used with other antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV in people who have been exposed to the virus in the work place, such as health care providers who come in contact with HIV infected blood through an accidental needle stick.  People living with HIV are also given the medication.