What is Isentress HD?
Isentresshd is an antiviral medication that prevents the human immune deficiency (HIV) from multiplying within your body. Isentress HD treats HIV, a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and AIDS. This medication is not a cure or treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Isentress HD can be used by adults and children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2.2 kilograms). This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Isentress HD.
Side effects of Isentress HD
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Isentress and seek emergency medical attention. Isentress HD may cause a rare condition that leads to the breakdown of muscle tissue. This can lead to renal failure. If you experience unexplained weakness, muscle tenderness, or pain, call your doctor immediately, especially if there is a fever, unusual fatigue, or dark urine.
Isentress HD can affect your immune system and cause side effects. These may occur even weeks or months after taking this medication. You should tell your doctor if:
- Signs of an infection: fever, sweating at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores; cough, wheezing; diarrhea; weight loss.
- If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, have problems with balance, eye movements, or weakness, or feel prickly, then it could be a sign of a problem.
- Impotence, menstrual changes, swelling of the neck or throat (enlarged thyroid)
Isentress HD can cause the following side effects:
- Nausea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Tired feeling
- Sleep problems (insomnia).
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Biktarvy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Atripla, Complera, Stribild, and Epzicom
Warnings
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine immediately and seek emergency medical attention.
Before you take this drug
If you weigh less than 40 kilograms (88 pounds), do not take Isentress HD film-coated tablets.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking, as well as any new ones. Some drugs are not to be taken together, and others can cause drug interactions.
Inform your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- A muscle disorder or muscle damage;
- High blood levels of an enzyme called creatine kinase (a sign that muscle damage has occurred);
- Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it);
- Liver disease
- Mental illness or depression.
Isentress HD Chewable Tablets contain phenylalanine. Inform your doctor if phenylketonuria is present. Isentresshd is not known to harm unborn babies. If you plan to get pregnant or are already pregnant, tell your doctor.
HIV can be transmitted to your child if it is not controlled while pregnant. Your name could be on a registry if you're pregnant to track the effects of antiviral medication on your baby. To control HIV, take your medication as prescribed.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine. Women who have HIV or AIDS shouldn't breastfeed a baby. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to it through your breast milk.
How to take Isentress HD?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. Isentress HD can be taken with or without food. You should not chew or crush a tablet. It is best to swallow it whole. Isentress HD chewable tablets can be swallowed whole or chewed.
Isentress HD is a powder that must be dissolved in water before use. You can crush the smaller 25-milligramme tablet and mix it in a cup of liquid, such as juice, water, or breastmilk. Use mixed medicine right away. Use it immediately. Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you do not understand the instructions, consult your physician or pharmacist. Your dose requirements may change if you switch brands, strengths, or forms of medications. Use only the strength and form prescribed by your doctor to avoid medication mistakes.
Tell your doctor about any weight changes in a child who is taking this medication. The dose of Isentress HD is based on the weight of children. Any changes in weight may impact your child's dose. Read all the instructions and medication guides that you receive. Do not alter your dosage or schedule without consulting your doctor. Each person living with HIV should be under the care and supervision of a physician.
Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture, keeping tightly sealed when not in use. Keep the chewable tablet in its original container along with the packet of moisture-absorbing preserver.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. Refill your prescription before you run out.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Ask your doctor about antacids, and only use the ones that your doctor has prescribed. Antacids may make Isentress HD harder to absorb.
Isentress HD will not stop your disease from spreading. Share razors and toothbrushes. Speak to your doctor about the best ways to prevent HIV from being transmitted during sex. Even healthy people should never share syringes for drugs or medicines.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, increasing side effects or making them less effective.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Isentress HD can be affected by many drugs, including:
- Fenofibrate or gemfibrozil;
- Rifampin;
- HIV or AIDS medicine: etravirine, ritonavir, tipranavir, zidovudine;
- Seizure medicine: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or
- A "statin" medicine that lowers cholesterol: Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Vytorin, Zocor, and others
This list is incomplete, and other drugs can also affect Isentress HD. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
