Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: RALTEGRAVIR (ral-TEG-ra-vir)
This medicine is an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor used to treat certain patients who have HIV infection. It is used along with other HIV medicines.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), atazanavir, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or rifampin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including dialysis; history of liver problems, hepatitis B or C infection, or muscle problems (eg, muscle weakness, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis); allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE to get the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine, including mouse or murine proteins. LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. THIS MEDICINE MAY IMPROVE immune system function. This may reveal hidden infections in some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of infection (eg, fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, shortness of breath) after you start this medicine. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT A CURE FOR HIV infection. Patients may still get illnesses and infections associated with HIV. Remain under the care of your doctor. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR DOSE or stop taking this medicine or any other medicine for HIV without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD OF HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THIS MEDICINE are not known at this time. Contact your doctor right away if you develop any unusual symptom or if any symptom persists or gets worse. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. Mothers infected with HIV should not breast-feed. There is a risk of passing the HIV infection or this medicine to the baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; headache; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, paranoia, depression); muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; numbness of an arm or leg; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or stomach pain; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; sudden severe headache or vomiting; sudden vision changes; suicidal thoughts or actions; unusual lumps, skin growths, or skin changes; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
WHEN YOUR MEDICINE SUPPLY IS LOW, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking this medicine, even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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