Frequently asked questions about ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD

ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD

What is ISENTRESS?

ISENTRESS is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg). HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

What is ISENTRESS HD?

ISENTRESS HD is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg). HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

How do ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD work?

ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD are a type of HIV-1 medicine known as an integrase inhibitor. Integrase inhibitors block the enzyme integrase, which is one of the enzymes that HIV-1 needs to make copies of itself. ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD, when used with other HIV-1 medicines, may help lower your viral load.

What should I tell my doctor before taking ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD?

Tell your doctor if you:

  • Have liver problems or phenylketonuria (PKU).
    • ISENTRESS chewable tablets contain phenylalanine as part of the artificial sweetener aspartame. The artificial sweetener may be harmful to people with PKU
  • Have a history of a muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis or myopathy or increased levels of creatine kinase in your blood
  • Receive kidney dialysis treatment
  • Have other medical conditions
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe to take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with those other medicines.

Can I take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with other medicines?

ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD can be used with a wide range of non–HIV-1 medicines, such as:

  • Cholesterol (statins)
  • Pain (opioid analgesics)
  • Birth Control (hormonal contraceptives)
  • Heartburn (proton pump inhibitors)
  • Fungal Infections (azole antifungals)

Some medicines can interact with ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD. Tell your doctor if you take antacids containing aluminum, magnesium, or calcium; rifampin; tipranavir/ritonavir; etravirine; or other drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin. It is not recommended to take these medicines with ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Your doctor will tell you if it’s safe to take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with other medicines.

Can I take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD if I am pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant?

Before you take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD can harm your unborn baby.

How should I take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD?

Take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

For ISENTRESS:

  • Take it by mouth. Film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.
  • Take ISENTRESS with or without food
  • Do not change your dose of ISENTRESS or stop your treatment without talking with your doctor first.
  • Take ISENTRESS on a regular dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor. Do not miss doses.
  • Do not switch between the film-coated tablet, the chewable tablet, and/or the oral suspension without talking with your doctor first.

For ISENTRESS HD:

  • Take 2 tablets once a day.
  • Take them with or without food.
  • ISENTRESS HD film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.
  • Do not switch between the film-coated tablet, the chewable tablet, and/or the oral suspension without talking to your doctor first.
  • Do not switch between the ISENTRESS 400 mg film-coated tablet and the ISENTRESS HD 600 mg film-coated tablet if your prescribed dose is 1200 mg.
  • Do not change your dose of ISENTRESS HD or stop your treatment without talking with your doctor first.
  • Take ISENTRESS HD on a regular dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor. Do not miss doses.

How do I store ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD?

Store it at room temperature (68°F to 77°F). ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD should not be refrigerated.

What else should I know?

Get a refill of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD from your doctor or pharmacy before you run out. The virus in your blood may increase and the virus may become harder to treat.

Stay under the care of your doctor during treatment.

If you take too much ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Ask your doctor if ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD is right for you.

Prepare for your next appointment and download our doctor discussion guide to help get the conversation started.

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What are ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD?

ISENTRESS is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg).

 

ISENTRESS HD is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg). HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

 

ISENTRESS should not be used in children weighing less than 4.4 pounds (2 kg).

Important Safety Information

Some people who take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD develop severe skin reactions and allergic reactions that can be serious, and may be life-threatening or lead to death. If you develop a rash, call your doctor right away. If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms, stop using ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD and call your doctor or get medical help right away: fever; generally ill feeling; extreme tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, lips, or face; problems breathing.


Sometimes allergic reactions can affect body organs, such as your liver. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes; dark or tea-colored urine; pale-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.


Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.


People taking ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD may still develop infections or other conditions associated with HIV-1 infections.


The most common side effects of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD include: trouble sleeping, headache, dizziness, nausea, and tiredness. Less common side effects include: depression, hepatitis, genital herpes, herpes zoster including shingles, kidney failure, kidney stones, indigestion or stomach area pain, vomiting, suicidal thoughts and actions, and weakness.


Tell your doctor before you take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD if you have a history of a muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis or myopathy or increased levels of creatine kinase in your blood.


ISENTRESS chewable tablets contain phenylalanine as part of the artificial sweetener, aspartame. The artificial sweetener may be harmful to people with phenylketonuria.


Tell your doctor right away if you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. These may be signs of a rare serious muscle problem that can lead to kidney problems.


These are not all the possible side effects of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.


Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have any allergies, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Women with HIV should not breastfeed because their babies could be infected with HIV through their breast milk.


Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe to take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with those other medicines.


You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD exactly as prescribed by your doctor.


Do not change your dose of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD, do not switch between the film-coated tablet, the chewable tablet, or the oral suspension without talking to your doctor first or stop your treatment without talking with your doctor first.


Do not switch between the ISENTRESS 400 mg film-coated tablet and the ISENTRESS HD 600 mg film-coated tablet if your prescribed dose is 1200 mg.


If your child is taking ISENTRESS, your child’s doctor will decide the right dose based on your child’s age and weight.


ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.


ISENTRESS chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole. ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.


ISENTRESS for oral suspension should be given to your child within 30 minutes of mixing. See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with ISENTRESS for oral suspension for information about the correct way to mix and give a dose of ISENTRESS for oral suspension. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.


Take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD on a regular dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor. Do not miss doses.


Get your ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD refilled from your doctor or pharmacy before you run out.


Please read the accompanying Patient Information and Instructions for Use for ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD and discuss them with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.


Brands mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners.

What are ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD (raltegravir)?

ISENTRESS is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg).

 

ISENTRESS HD is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg). HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

 

ISENTRESS should not be used in children weighing less than 4.4 pounds (2 kg).

ISENTRESS is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines

ISENTRESS is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg). ISENTRESS HD is a prescription HIV medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults, and in children weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kg). HIV is the virus

Important Safety Information for ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD (raltegravir)

Some people who take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD develop severe skin reactions and allergic reactions that can be serious, and may be life-threatening or lead to death. If you develop a rash, call your doctor right away. If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms, stop using ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD and call your doctor or get medical help right away: fever; generally ill feeling; extreme tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, lips, or face; problems breathing.


Sometimes allergic reactions can affect body organs, such as your liver. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes; dark or tea-colored urine; pale-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.


Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.


People taking ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD may still develop infections or other conditions associated with HIV-1 infections.


The most common side effects of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD include: trouble sleeping, headache, dizziness, nausea, and tiredness. Less common side effects include: depression, hepatitis, genital herpes, herpes zoster including shingles, kidney failure, kidney stones, indigestion or stomach area pain, vomiting, suicidal thoughts and actions, and weakness.


Tell your doctor before you take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD if you have a history of a muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis or myopathy or increased levels of creatine kinase in your blood.


ISENTRESS chewable tablets contain phenylalanine as part of the artificial sweetener, aspartame. The artificial sweetener may be harmful to people with phenylketonuria.


Tell your doctor right away if you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. These may be signs of a rare serious muscle problem that can lead to kidney problems.


These are not all the possible side effects of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.


Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have any allergies, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Women with HIV should not breastfeed because their babies could be infected with HIV through their breast milk.


Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe to take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD with those other medicines.


You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD exactly as prescribed by your doctor.


Do not change your dose of ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD, do not switch between the film-coated tablet, the chewable tablet, or the oral suspension without talking to your doctor first or stop your treatment without talking with your doctor first.


Do not switch between the ISENTRESS 400 mg film-coated tablet and the ISENTRESS HD 600 mg film-coated tablet if your prescribed dose is 1200 mg.


If your child is taking ISENTRESS, your child’s doctor will decide the right dose based on your child’s age and weight.


ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.


ISENTRESS chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole. ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.


ISENTRESS for oral suspension should be given to your child within 30 minutes of mixing. See the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with ISENTRESS for oral suspension for information about the correct way to mix and give a dose of ISENTRESS for oral suspension. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.


Take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD on a regular dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor. Do not miss doses.


Get your ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD refilled from your doctor or pharmacy before you run out.


Please read the accompanying Patient Information and Instructions for Use for ISENTRESS and ISENTRESS HD and discuss them with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.


Brands mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Some people who take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD develop severe skin reactions

Some people who take ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD develop severe skin reactions and allergic reactions that can be serious, and may be life-threatening or lead to death. If you develop a rash, call your doctor right away. If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms, stop using ISENTRESS or ISENTRESS HD and call your doctor or get medical help right away: fever; generally ill