The objectives of this study were to characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of efavirenz (EFV) and 8-hydroxy-efavirenz (8OHEFV) in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to explore covariates affecting the PK parameters. Fifty-one patients had steady-state 0-to-24-h concentrations of EFV and 8OHEFV in plasma with corresponding concentrations in PBMCs, while 261 patients had one or two sparse concentrations at 16 Ϯ 1 h postdose at weeks 4 and/or 16. The pharmacogenetic markers CYP2B6*6, CYP3A5*3, CYP3A5*6, UGT2B7*2, ABCB1 (3435C¡T, 3842A¡G), OATP1B1*1B, and OATP1B1*5, the presence of a rifampin-based antituberculosis (anti-TB) regimen, baseline body weight and organ function values, and demographic factors were explored as covariates. EFV concentration data were well described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption (K a ) and absorption lag time (A lag ) (K a ϭ 0.2 h Ϫ1 ; A lag ϭ 0.83 h; central compartment clearance [CL c /F] for CYP2B6*1/*1 ϭ 18 liters/h, for CYP2B6*1/*6 ϭ 14 liters/h, and for CYP2B6*6/*6 ϭ 8.6 liters/h) and PBMCs as a peripheral compartment. EFV transfer from plasma to PBMCs was first order (CL p /F ϭ 32 liters/h), followed by capacity-limited return (V max ϭ 4,400 ng/ml/h; K m ϭ 710 ng/ml). Similarly, 8OHEFV displayed a first-order elimination and distribution to PBMCs, with a capacity-limited return to plasma. No covariate relationships resulted in a significant explanation of interindividual variability (IIV) on the estimated PK parameters of EFV and 8OHEFV, except for CYP2B6*6 genotypes, which were consistent with prior evidence. Both EFV and 8OHEFV accumulated to higher concentrations in PBMCs than in plasma and were well described by first-order input and Michaelis-Menten kinetics removal from PBMCs. CYP2B6*6 genotype polymorphisms were associated with decreased EFV and 8OHEFV clearance.KEYWORDS efavirenz, 8-hydroxy-efavirenz, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, population pharmacokinetics E favirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral therapy remains the preferred first-line treatment option in important international guidelines, including those of the World Health Organization (1). EFV displays a wide between-patient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability (2, 3). This is ascribed partially to genetic variation of the CYP2B6 enzyme, which is primarily responsible for the metabolism of efavirenz to 8-hydroxy-efavirenz (8OHEFV) (4, 5). Efavirenz is described to have a narrow safety margin (6-8). In addition, a couple