What is Raltegravir?
Raltegravir, an antiviral medication, prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying within your body.Raltegravir can be used to treat HIV. This is the virus that can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome( AIDS). Raltegravir does not cure HIV or AIDS.Raltegravir can be used by adults and children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2.2 kilograms).Raltegravir can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Raltegravir
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking raltegravir immediately and seek emergency medical attention: fever, fatigue, joint or muscular pain, difficulty breathing, upper stomach pains, nausea, loss of appetite; dark urine; yellowing of skin or eyes; blisters, mouth sores, burning eyes; rash; hives; blistering, peeling, or blistering skin; swelling in your face, lips, or throat.In rare cases, the drug can lead to a condition where skeletal muscle tissue is broken down, which leads 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-colored urine.
Raltegravir 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, sweats at night, swollen lymph glands, colds, sores, coughing, wheezing, and diarrhea.
- 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)
Some of the common side effects associated with raltegravir include:
- Nausea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Tired feeling
- Sleep problems (insomnia).
There may be other side effects.To seek medical advice regarding side effects, call your doctor. Alternatively, for reporting purposes contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Biktarvy, Descovy, Truvada, Tenofovir, Zidovudine, Emtricitabine, and Atripla
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.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- 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.
Raltegravir tablets are phenylalanine-containing. Tell your doctor if phenylketonuria is present.Unknown is whether raltegravir can harm a developing baby. 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 breast-feed a child. Even if the baby was born HIV-free, the virus can be transmitted to it through your breast milk.
How to take Raltegravir?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Take raltegravir either with or without food.You should not chew or crush a tablet. It is best to swallow it whole.
You can chew or swallow the raltegravir tablet whole.Raltegravir is a powder that must be mixed with water before taking.You can crush the smaller 25-milligram 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 don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.If you change the brand, strength, or form of a medicine, your dose requirements may be different. Use only the strength and form prescribed by your doctor to avoid medication mistakes.Tell your doctor about any weight changes if a child uses this medication. Raltegravir dosages for children are determined by weight. Any changes in your child's weight may change the 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 away from moisture or heat at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.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?
Reach out for help immediately or call 1-800-222-1222 for poison assistance.
What should be avoided?
Ask your doctor about antacids, and only use the ones that your doctor has prescribed. Some antacids may make it more difficult for you to absorb raltegravir.It is possible that raltegravir will not stop the spread of your illness. Share razors and toothbrushes. Do not engage in unprotected sexual activity. 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, causing side effects or making them less effective.Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Many drugs can interact with raltegravir.
- 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 raltegravir. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.
