Raltegravir Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Raltegravir Tablet is a prescription antiviral medicine used together with other HIV medicines to treat HIV-1 infection. It belongs to a class of medicines called integrase strand transfer inhibitors and works by blocking an enzyme the virus needs to multiply. It is not a cure for HIV or AIDS and is used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy. It comes in film-coated tablets, chewable tablets, and oral granules for suspension.

What is Raltegravir Tablet

Raltegravir is a prescription antiviral medicine used to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. It is used together with other HIV medicines and is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Raltegravir Tablet uses

• Treatment of HIV-1 infection.
• HIV treatment as part of combination antiretroviral therapy.
• Management of HIV with other prescribed antiretroviral medicines.
• Maintaining viral suppression as part of an appropriate treatment regimen.
• Treatment of HIV in eligible children and adults.

Benefits of Raltegravir Tablet

• May reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load)
• May help increase CD4 (T) cell counts, which help fight other infections
• May lower the risk of death or HIV-related infections by improving the immune system
• Taking HIV medicines along with other lifestyle changes may lower the chance of spreading HIV to others

How Raltegravir Tablet works

Raltegravir blocks an HIV enzyme called integrase, which the virus needs to insert its genetic material into human cells. By stopping this step, the medicine prevents the virus from multiplying.

Raltegravir Tablet dosage

This medicine can be taken with or without food. Film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Chewable tablets may be chewed or swallowed whole. Take the medicine at the same times every day, usually twice daily. For children who have trouble chewing, the chewable tablets can be crushed and mixed with a small amount of liquid such as water, juice, or breast milk and taken right away.

Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well; do not stop or skip doses without talking to your doctor. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for the next dose — in that case skip the missed dose and go back to the regular schedule; do not take two doses at once. Children's doses are based on weight, so tell the doctor about any weight changes in a child taking this medicine. Ask your doctor before using antacids, since some can make it harder for your body to absorb this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated tablet
• Chewable tablet
• Oral granules for suspension

Side effects of Raltegravir Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

Serious

• Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Serious allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions with rash, fever, and sometimes organ problems including liver failure
• Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and muscle disease (myopathy), which can lead to kidney problems
• Immune reconstitution syndrome, where the immune system reacts to hidden infections after starting treatment
• Depression, including suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Liver problems such as hepatitis
• Kidney stones or kidney failure

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause severe, potentially life-threatening and fatal skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Stop the medicine immediately and get medical help if severe rash or allergic reaction symptoms occur.
• Watch for signs of immune reconstitution syndrome, where the immune system may begin attacking hidden infections after starting treatment, sometimes months later.
• People with phenylketonuria (PKU) should know the chewable tablets contain phenylalanine, which can be harmful to them.
• Use caution if you have a history of muscle problems or are taking other medicines known to cause muscle damage, since this medicine can cause muscle breakdown.
• It is not known if this medicine can harm an unborn baby. It should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Pregnant patients may be included in a registry that tracks outcomes.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine. Mothers with HIV should not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV to the baby.
• No dose change is needed for people with severe kidney problems, based on studies showing no important differences in how the drug is processed.
• No dose change is needed for mild to moderate liver problems. The effect of severe liver impairment has not been studied.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• Store chewable tablets in the original container with the bottle tightly closed
• Keep the desiccant (drying agent) packet in the bottle to protect the medicine from moisture
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children
• Dispose of unneeded medication through a medicine take-back program rather than flushing it down the toilet

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you develop a rash along with fever, extreme tiredness, muscle or joint aches, blisters or mouth sores, eye redness or swelling, swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, or trouble breathing — these can be signs of a severe skin or allergic reaction.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain below the ribs on the right side.
• Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever, unusual tiredness, or dark-colored urine, as this could signal a serious muscle problem.
• Tell your doctor right away if you develop new symptoms of infection after starting treatment, since your immune system may begin reacting to hidden infections.

Alternatives

• Elvitegravir
• Bictegravir
• Dolutegravir