Status epilepticus resulting from severe efavirenz toxicity in an HIV-infected patient.

Abstract

We present the case of an HIV-infected patient with cirrhosis in whom severe neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms developed in the setting of a significantly elevated plasma efavirenz level. Although mild neuropsychiatric symptoms are a well-known adverse effect of this medication, to our knowledge, this is the first report of status epilepticus with routine efavirenz dosing. This case raises several significant questions regarding the adverse effects and dosing of this medication, including which patient characteristics predispose to efavirenz toxicity, the relevance of the CYP2B6 mutation, and indications for therapeutic drug monitoring.