Celsentri (Maraviroc)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Celsentri Used For?
Celsentri contains the active ingredient maraviroc and belongs to a group of medicines called CCR5 blockers. It is used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV infection.
Primary Uses
Celsentri is used in combination with other medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It reduces the amount of HIV in your body and helps your immune system.
How It Works
Celsentri works by blocking the most common entry point into the CD-4 cells called the ‘CCR5 receptor’. It stops the HIV-1 virus from entering the CD-4 cells in your blood (also called T-cells), which are the cells in your immune system that the HIV virus attacks. Because the virus cannot enter the cell, it cannot attack it, and this prevents further damage to your immune system.
Important: Celsentri does not cure HIV. You can still pass on HIV when taking this medicine through sexual activity or through passing on blood or bodily secretions. Use proper precautions to prevent transmission of HIV to others.
How to Take Celsentri
Take Celsentri exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose you take will depend on whether you are taking any other medicines with Celsentri.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dosage is either 150 mg, 300 mg or 600 mg twice a day. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew the tablets. Celsentri can be taken with or without food. Take all your anti-HIV medicines as prescribed and at the right time of day to help them work better and lower the chance of drug resistance.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking Celsentri as you would normally.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor.
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:
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach pain or discomfort
- indigestion
- dizziness
- abnormal sense of taste
- problems sleeping or abnormal sleep
- rash
- loss of appetite
- muscle spasms or pain
- cough
- joint pain
- fever
- colds, upper respiratory tract infections or flu-like symptoms
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- weakness, tiredness, headaches, being short of breath, dizziness and looking pale, fainting
- signs of frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- loss of appetite, vomiting and/or upper right stomach pain, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- passing less or more urine than normal or a change in the colour of your urine, dark coloured urine
- unexpected muscle aches or pain, paralysis or weakness
- signs of infection such as meningitis or pneumonia
- bleeding problems such as bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, nosebleeds, bleeding from the rectum
- convulsions, fits or seizures, shaking or tremors
- swollen glands in the neck, armpit or groin
- mental problems such as epilepsy, loss of reflexes, hallucinations
- inability to move the muscles in the face
- tingling or burning sensation in the hands or feet
- lower back pain
- chest pain or angina
- severe upper stomach pain, often with nausea or vomiting
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- blisters and peeling skin around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
- widespread skin rash, itching or hives on the skin
- signs of a stroke
Important Warnings
Before taking Celsentri, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Celsentri
Do not use Celsentri if you are allergic to maraviroc or any of the ingredients listed. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, history of low blood pressure or postural hypotension, kidney problems, heart problems, or if you take medicines to lower blood pressure or for any other conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It is not known if Celsentri can harm your unborn child. You should not breastfeed if you are infected with HIV because the virus can be transmitted through breastmilk. It is not known whether maraviroc can pass into breastmilk, so you should not breastfeed whilst taking Celsentri.
Children: Celsentri has not been studied in children less than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Celsentri and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
St John’s Wort: St John’s Wort can prevent Celsentri from working properly. You should not take St John’s Wort together with Celsentri.
- efavirenz, etravirine, raltegravir, lopinavir, darunavir, delavirdine, elvitegravir, atazanavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, saquinavir, boceprevir, telaprevir (HIV or hepatitis C medicines)
- ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungal medicines)
- clarithromycin, telithromycin, rifampicin, rifabutin (antibiotics)
- St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum)
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin (seizure medicines)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery as Celsentri may affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the source material. However, discuss alcohol use with your doctor as it may affect your overall HIV treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Celsentri affects you. Celsentri may cause dizziness and light-headedness in some people.
Storage
Store Celsentri below 30°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep this medicine in the pack until it is time to take it. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Celsentri, you may need 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. Symptoms of an overdose may include dizziness or light-headedness when you stand up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Celsentri reduces the amount of HIV in your body and helps your immune system, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular blood tests.
Yes, Celsentri can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water and do not chew them.
Do not stop using Celsentri suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor. You need to keep taking it every day to stop your illness from getting worse, as it helps control your condition but does not cure HIV.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Yes, Celsentri may cause dizziness and light-headedness in some people. Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Celsentri affects you.
Some medicines may interfere with Celsentri and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking. The dose of Celsentri you take will depend on whether you are taking other medicines.
No, Celsentri does not cure HIV infection. It helps control your condition by reducing the amount of HIV in your body and helping your immune system, but you can still pass on HIV to others and may still develop other infections linked to HIV.
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.