After i.v. administration, Efavirenz (L-743726) is cleared rapidly from rats, but it is cleared considerably more slowly from monkeys. The large volume of distribution (two to four times the amount of body water) in both species indicates extensive tissue binding. The oral bioavailability in rats is 16%. In monkeys, the half-life of Efavirenz after administration of a 1 mg/kg i.v. dose exceeded 2.5 h. Efavirenz is well absorbed orally. Administration to monkeys of oral doses as fine suspensions in 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose yields consistently high levels in plasma. A 2.0 mg/kg dose produces peak levels of 0.5μM at approximately 3.0 h. The absolute bioavailability is estimated to be 42%. A 10 mg/kg dose yields a peak level in plasma of 3.22 μM. A 10 mg/kg oral dose given to a single chimpanzee gave concentrations in plasma of 4.12, 2.95, and 2.69 μM at 2, 8, and 24 h after dosing, respectively.
Medlife has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.