efavirenz + stavudine + didanosine

Efavirenz + stavudine + didanosine is an oral antiretroviral **combination therapy** used in the treatment of **HIV-1 infection**. Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that blocks HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preventing viral RNA from being converted to DNA. Stavudine and didanosine are both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which act as analogues of natural nucleosides, resulting in premature chain termination during viral DNA synthesis. This particular combination has historical relevance in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) but is now infrequently used due to concerns over toxicity, especially increased risk of lactic acidosis, hepatic steatosis, and pancreatitis. The combination of stavudine and didanosine is especially associated with severe and potentially fatal adverse events, and major guidelines recommend against its use unless no alternatives are available[1][2][4][6]. The combination is not available under a unique fixed-dose brand name and is usually administered as individual component drugs[3].

Other names

d4T + ddI + EFV