What is Vitekta?
Vitekta, an antiviral drug, prevents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying within your body.
Vitekta can be used in conjunction with other antiviral drugs to treat HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS). Elvitegravir does not cure HIV or AIDS.Vitekta can be prescribed after all other HIV medications have failed.
Warnings
Vitekta should not be used if you also take dofetilide (Tikosyn).
Before you take this drug
Vitekta should not be used if you have an allergy to elvitegravir or are taking cobicistat or other medications that contain elvitegravir.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Vitekta will be safe for you:
- Hepatitis B and C are liver diseases.
Vitekta should not harm an unborn child. HIV can still be transmitted to your unborn baby if you do not receive proper treatment during pregnancy. Inform your doctor that you are expecting and take your HIV medications as prescribed to control the infection.
Your name could be included in a registry if you are pregnant. This allows us to monitor the pregnancy's outcome and evaluate the effects of Vitekta.Breastfeeding is not recommended for women with HIV/AIDS. Even if the baby is not born with HIV, it can be transmitted to the child through your breast milk.
How to take Vitekta?
Vitekta should be taken only once a day. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take it for longer.Take with food
Vitekta should be taken with ritonavir, also known as Norvir, and another HIV medication. Your doctor may prescribe any of the following:
- Atazanavir (Reyataz);
- Darunavir
- Fosamprenavir (Lexiva);
- Lopinavir/ritonavir combination (Kaletra);
- Tipranavir (Aptivus)
Vitekta dosage may change if you switch from one of these medications to another. Follow your doctor's instructions for dosage.You may need to have frequent blood tests while using Vitekta.
Follow your doctor's directions when taking any medication. Each medication comes with a patient instruction guide or medication guide. You should not alter your medication or dose schedule without consulting your doctor. All people with HIV/AIDS should be under the care and supervision of a physician.
To get the best results, use your medicine regularly. Refill your prescriptions before you run out.Store Vitekta at room temperature, away from moisture.
Details on dosage
Adult dose of Vitekta:
If you are taking atazanavir/ritonavir once daily or lopinavir/ritonavir twice daily, take 85 mg once a day orally with food.
With twice-daily darunavir/ritonavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, or tipranavir/ritonavir: 150 mg orally once daily with food.Comments:
The manufacturer's product information should be consulted for the recommended dosing regimen for atazanavir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, or tipranavir/ritonavir; this drug should not be used with other dose regimens or HIV-1 protease inhibitors.
This drug should not also be taken with protease and cobicistat inhibitors.
Use: For the treatment of HIV-1 in patients who have received antiretroviral therapy.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you become aware, take the missed dose immediately. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid taking an antacid two hours before or after taking Vitekta. Some antacids may make it difficult for your body to absorb elvitegravir.
HIV medication does not stop you from spreading HIV to others. 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.
Side effects of Vitekta
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction after using Vitekta, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Vitekta can increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune diseases by altering the way your immune system works. Vitekta may cause symptoms to appear weeks or even months after starting treatment. You should tell your doctor if:
- Signs of an infection: fever, night sweats, and swollen lymph glands; mouth sores or ulcers; diarrhea; stomach pains; weight loss.
- Chest pain (especially when breathing), dry cough, wheezing, and feeling short of breath
- Cold sores are sores in the genital area or anal region.
- Feeling irritable or anxious, feeling weak or prickly, or having problems with balance or eye movements;
- If you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, severe lower back pain; loss of bladder control or bowel control,
- Impotence, menstrual irregularities, and a loss of sexual interest are all symptoms that can be caused by an enlarged thyroid.
Vitekta may cause side effects such as:
- Diarrhea;
- Nausea;
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.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or if you will stop taking them during treatment with Vitekta.
- Bosentan;
- Buprenorphine, naloxone;
- Dexamethasone;
- Ketoconazole;
- Methadone;
- John's Wort;
- Boceprevir and telaprevir are both hepatitis-C medications.
- Hormonal birth control—pills, injections, implants, skin patches, vaginal rings;
- Other HIV or AIDS medications: didanosine, efavirenz, and nevirapine
- Seizure medication: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or
- Tuberculosis medicine: rifabutin, rifampin, and rifapentine.
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with elvitegravir. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
