Etravirine tablets

November 11, 2018

Etravirine tablets

What is this medicine?

ETRAVIRINE (E tra VIR een) is an antiretroviral medicine. It is used with other medicines to treat HIV. This medicine is not a cure for HIV. This medicine can lower, but not fully prevent, the risk of spreading HIV to others.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medicine. If unable to swallow whole, the tablet may be dispersed in water right before you take it. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine after a meal. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. For your anti-HIV therapy to work as well as possible, take each dose exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine even if you feel better. Skipping doses may make the HIV virus resistant to this medicine and other medicines. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • dark urine

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms

  • light-colored stools

  • loss of appetite, nausea

  • redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

  • right upper belly pain

  • unusually weak or tired

  • yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • nausea, vomiting

  • dizziness

  • pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

  • stomach pain

  • weight gain around waist, back, or thinning of face, arms, legs

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • carbamazepine

  • dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir

  • ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • artemether; lumefantrine

  • certain antibiotics like rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine

  • certain medicines for erectile dysfunction like sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like clopidogrel, warfarin

  • clarithromycin

  • dexamethasone

  • diazepam

  • medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, digoxin, flecainide, lidocaine, mexiletine, propafenone, quinidine

  • medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin

  • medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

  • medicines for narcotic withdrawal and dependence such as buprenorphine, buprenorphine; naloxone

  • medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, phenytoin

  • medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection like cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus

  • methadone

  • other medicines for HIV

  • St. John's wort

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • liver disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to etravirine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Discuss any new symptoms with your doctor. You will need to have important blood work done while on this medicine.

HIV is spread to others through sexual or blood contact. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of HIV.

Updated:  

November 11, 2018