A patient who has HIV infection will begin treatment with efavirenz. The nurse expects this agent to be given in combination with other antiretrovirals in order to:

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Efavirenz, like all antiretrovirals, is recommended to be given in combination with other antiretrovirals to reduce viral resistance. This is because HIV quickly develops resistance to single-drug therapy, and the use of combination therapy helps to prevent this. While efavirenz can cause psychiatric side effects such as dizziness, sedation, and nightmares, it is not given in combination solely to prevent these effects. Severe rash and hepatotoxicity are potential side effects of efavirenz, but giving it in combination with other antiretrovirals does not prevent them.

A Patient Who Has HIV Infection Will Begin Treatment with Efavirenz