Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ETRAVIRINE (eh-tra-VIR-een)
This medicine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) in certain patients. It is used in combination 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. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking another non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) (such as efavirenz), barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), carbamazepine, certain protease inhibitors (such as indinavir) without ritonavir, certain doses of ritonavir, certain protease inhibitor and ritonavir combinations (such as tipranavir/ritonavir), delavirdine, hydantoins (such as phenytoin), rifampin, rifapentine, or St. John's wort. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking medicines for anxiety, erectile problems, irregular heartbeat, bacterial infections, fungal infections, immune suppression, inflammation, aches and pains, high cholesterol, seizures, thinning the blood), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (such as herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, gingko, St. John's wort). MANY PRESCRIPTION AND NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES may interact with this medicine decreasing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including kidney problems, liver problems, hepatitis, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth following a meal. Swallow this medicine whole with a liquid such as water. Do NOT chew before swallowing. If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may mix it in a glass of water. Stir well until the water looks milky, and then drink all of the liquid right away. Rinse the glass with water several times and completely swallow the rinse each time to ensure the entire dose is taken. Do not store the mixture for future use. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Taking this medicine at the same times 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 by less than 6 hours, take the missed dose as soon as possible following a meal, then go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss your dose by more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT CHANGE THE DOSE of this or any other HIV medicine without talking with your doctor first. 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. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including CD4, blood counts, and blood cholesterol may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. 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. THIS MEDICINE DOES NOT STOP THE SPREAD of HIV to others through blood or sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (such as condoms) if you have HIV infection. Do not share needles, injection supplies, or items like toothbrushes or razors. 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 (such as fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, shortness of breath) after you start this medicine. CHANGES IN BODY FAT (eg, an increased amount of fat in the upper back, neck, breast, and trunk, and loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face) may occur in some patients taking this medicine. The cause and long-term effects of these changes are unknown. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes St. John's wort. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED 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, stomach pain, tiredness, tingling or pain in the hands or feet, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience blurred vision or other vision changes; change in amount of urine; chest pain; dark urine; fainting; irregular heartbeat; mood or mental changes (such as confusion); memory loss; numbness of the arms, legs, hands, or feet; pale stools; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; unusual tiredness or weakness; 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, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. 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.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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