Isentress 400mg (Raltegravir)

Isentress general information

What is Isentress used for?

Isentress tablets 400mg are used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, in combination with other HIV medications.  This combination therapy is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).  HIV impairs the immune system by attacking specific immune cells called CD4⁺ cells that are involved in fighting infection, which can lead to opportunistic life-threatening infection (infections that would not normally be harmful).  If too many CD4⁺ cells are destroyed this can result in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).  Isentress tablets 400mg help prevent or slow down the ability of HIV to replicate, which reduces the viral load by keeping the amount virus down to a low level and this results in an increase in CD4 cell numbers, so that the immune system can recover reducing the risk of disease progression. 

How does Isentress work?

Isentress tablets 400mg contains the antiretroviral raltegravir, an integrase strand transfer inhibitor.  Raltegravir in Isentress tablets 400mg inhibits the catalytic activity of HIV integrase, an HIV-encoded enzyme that is required for viral replication.  HIV is a retrovirus, which is an RNA virus that produces an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to transcribe its RNA into DNA.  Another viral enzyme, integrase, is used to insert or integrate viral DNA into the host cell genome during the early phase of infection.  By blocking the action of viral integrase, raltegravir in Isentress tablets 400mg prevents replication of the virus and thereby inhibits production of new infectious viral particles.  Isentress tablets 400mg slow down the replication of HIV within your body but does not kill the virus already incorporated in the CD4⁺ cells or prevent the spread of the infection to others. 

What does Isentress contain?

Isentress tablets 400mg contain the active ingredient raltegravir, an antiretroviral used in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.  They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, calcium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, hypromellose 2208, poloxamer 407, sodium stearyl fumarate, magnesium stearate.

Treating HIV infection with Isentress

Isentress tablets 400mg contain the antiretroviral drug raltegravir, an inhibitor of the viral integrase enzyme.  HIV impairs the immune system by attacking specific immune cells called CD4⁺ cells that are involved in fighting infection, and this can lead to opportunistic life-threatening infection (infections that would not normally be harmful), including pneumonia, herpes virus infections, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.  If too many CD4⁺ cells are destroyed this can result in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).  HIV is a retrovirus, which is an RNA virus that produces an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to transcribe its RNA into DNA.  Another viral enzyme, integrase, is used to insert or integrate viral DNA into the host cell genome during the early phase of infection.  Raltegravir in Isentress tablets 400mg works by blocking the action of the viral integrase and this inhibits viral replication and thereby inhibits production of new infectious viral particles.  Isentress tablets 400mg are used in combination with other HIV medications to slow down the replication of HIV within your body but they do not kill the virus already incorporated in the CD4⁺ cells or prevent the spread of the infection to others. 

What are the side effects of Isentress?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Isentress tablets 400mg include: nausea, vomiting, headaches, tiredness, inflammation of the nasal passages and throat, trouble sleeping, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, fever, bronchitis, back pain and depression.  A more serious but less common side effect is a condition is a severe skin reaction including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

When should Isentress not be used?

You should not use Isentress tablets 400mg if you:

• are allergic to raltegravir or any ingredients in Isentress
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• are taking medicines that interact with Isentress, including antacids containing aluminium and/or magnesium, the anti-infective rifampicin

How should Isentress be taken?

You should take your Isentress tablets 400mg with a glass of water twice daily, with or without food and in combination with other antiretroviral drugs that have been prescribed.  You should continue to take your Isentress tablets 400mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, and you will be monitored carefully to ensure that you do not develop any serious side effects, in which case your doctor will probably recommend that you stop taking your Isentress tablets 400mg. 

How long should you take Isentress?

You should continue to take your Isentress tablets 400mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, and you will be monitored carefully to ensure that you do not develop any serious side effects, in which case your doctor will probably recommend that you stop taking your Isentress tablets 400mg. 

Missed dose of Isentress

If you miss a dose of Isentress tablets 400mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Isentress be stored?

You should store your Isentress below 25°C in a cool dry place.