Isentress and Isentress HD (Raltegravir)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Isentress and Isentress HD Used For?
Isentress contains the active ingredient raltegravir and is used to treat HIV infection in adults and children over 2 years old weighing at least 25 kg.
Primary Uses
Isentress is used in combination with other anti-HIV medicines to treat HIV infection in adults and pediatric patients older than 2 years and weighing at least 25 kg. It helps reduce the amount of HIV virus in your blood and increase the number of CD4 (T) cells that help fight infection.
How It Works
Isentress belongs to a group of medicines called integrase inhibitors. It works by blocking HIV integrase, one of the enzymes needed for HIV to reproduce. When integrase is blocked, the virus cannot reproduce normally, which helps reduce the amount of virus in the blood and may keep your immune system healthy.
Important: Isentress does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. It is very important that you stay under the care of your doctor during treatment.
How to Take Isentress and Isentress HD
Take Isentress exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on which formulation you’re taking and your age/weight.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: Take one Isentress 400mg tablet twice daily or two Isentress HD 600mg tablets once daily as directed by your doctor. Swallow tablets whole. Children and Adolescents: Your child’s doctor will determine the correct dose and tablet type based on your child’s weight. Take with or without food. Do not switch between the 400mg or 600mg tablet formulations. Take at about the same time each day for best effect.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never double dose to make up for a missed dose. If taking iron supplements, wait at least two hours between taking iron and Isentress as iron may reduce Isentress effectiveness.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Inflammation of nasal passages and throat
- Trouble sleeping
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Cough
- Fever
- Bronchitis
- Back pain
- Depression
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe skin reactions
- Hives or nettle rash
- Fainting
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Tightness in chest
- Frequent infections with fever/chills/sore throat
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood
- Yellowing of skin and eyes with dark urine
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Muscle pain, tenderness or weakness
- Suicidal thoughts and actions
- Low blood platelet count
- Clumsiness and lack of coordination
- Liver failure
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Isentress. Discuss your medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Isentress and Isentress HD
Do not use Isentress if you are allergic to raltegravir or any of the ingredients listed. Signs of allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash/itching/hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any medicines for other conditions, have allergies to medicines/foods/preservatives/dyes, or are unsure whether you should start taking this medicine.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. You should not take Isentress when pregnant unless your doctor says you should. There are limited data on Isentress HD use in pregnant women. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine as HIV can be transmitted through breast milk.
Children Under 2: Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years of age. Isentress has not been studied in children under 2 years.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Isentress and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Do not start taking any new medicine without telling your doctor or pharmacist. Keep a list of all your medicines to show healthcare providers.
- Atazanavir (may increase Isentress effect)
- Antacids (may reduce Isentress effect)
- Rifampin for tuberculosis (may reduce Isentress effect)
- Tipranavir/Ritonavir for HIV (may reduce Isentress effect)
- Phenytoin and Phenobarbitone for seizures (may reduce Isentress effect)
- Iron salts (may reduce Isentress efficacy – take 2 hours apart)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities requiring alertness as Isentress may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Isentress affects you. There have been side effects reported that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Individual responses may vary.
Storage
Keep tablets in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 30°C and where children cannot reach them. Keep tablets in the bottle until time to take them – if removed from bottle they may not keep well. Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathroom, near sink, in car, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Isentress, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isentress works by blocking HIV reproduction, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. It’s important to take it consistently as prescribed with other HIV medicines to reduce viral load and increase CD4 cell counts over time.
Yes, Isentress can be taken with or without food as directed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Isentress or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short period of time, and HIV may develop resistance to Isentress making it harder to treat.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, do not switch between the 400mg or 600mg tablet formulations. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate formulation based on your specific needs.
No, Isentress does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. It helps control the condition by reducing the amount of HIV virus in your blood when used with other anti-HIV medicines, but you must continue treatment as directed by your doctor.
If taking iron salts, you should wait at least two hours between taking iron supplements and Isentress, as iron may reduce Isentress effectiveness.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.