etravirine

What is the most important information I should know about etravirine?

Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. However, some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of etravirine. Etravirine can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs. This can make your medicines less effective or increase side effects. TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE.

What is etravirine?

Etravirine is an antiviral medicine that is used with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Etravirine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Etravirine is for use in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.

Etravirine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking etravirine?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease, including hepatitis B or C.

Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. However, there are certain combinations of medicines that should not be used together with etravirine. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy. Use your medications properly to control your infection. HIV can be passed to your baby if the virus is not controlled during pregnancy.

Your name may be listed on a registry to track any effects of antiviral medicine on the baby.

How should I take etravirine?

Etravirine must be given in combination with other antiviral medications and it should not be used alone.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Etravirine doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, place it into a glass with a teaspoon of water. Stir until the water looks milky. Add a tablespoon more water (or a tablespoon of orange juice, milk, or sports drink). Drink this mixture right away. Add more liquid to the glass, swirl gently and drink right away. Keep adding and drinking liquid until the entire dose is rinsed from the glass.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Use all HIV medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV should remain under the care of a doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine after your next meal, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 6 hours late for the dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking etravirine?

Using this medicine will not prevent your disease from spreading. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What are the possible side effects of etravirine?

• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
• fever, unusual tiredness;
• dark colored urine; or
• any type of skin rash, no matter how mild.

Etravirine affects your immune system, which may cause certain side effects (even weeks or months after you've taken this medicine). Tell your doctor if you have:

• signs of a new infection --fever, night sweats, swollen glands, cold sores, cough, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss;
• trouble speaking or swallowing, problems with balance or eye movement, weakness or prickly feeling; or
• swelling in your neck or throat (enlarged thyroid), menstrual changes, impotence.

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• rash; or
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect etravirine?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect etravirine, especially:

• other drugs to treat HIV;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
• a blood thinner;
• heart rhythm medicine;
• medicine for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension;
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;
• medicine to treat hepatitis C;
• medicine to treat opioid addiction;
• medicine to treat or prevent malaria;
• seizure medication;
• "statin" cholesterol medication; or
• St. John's wort.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect etravirine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about etravirine.