Celsentri (Maraviroc)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Celsentri Used For?
Celsentri contains 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 to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. It must be used in combination with other HIV medicines, not alone.
How It Works
Celsentri reduces the amount of HIV in your body and helps your immune system. It works by blocking the CCR5 receptor, which is the most common entry point HIV uses to get into CD-4 cells (T-cells) in your blood. By blocking this entry point, the virus cannot enter and attack these immune system cells, preventing further damage to your immune system.
Important: Celsentri does not cure HIV and you can still pass on HIV to others through sexual activity or blood contact. Use proper precautions to prevent transmission.
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How to Take Celsentri
Take Celsentri exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose depends on what other medicines you are taking with it.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dosage is either 150 mg, 300 mg or 600 mg twice a day. Your doctor will determine the correct dose based on other medicines you are taking. Swallow the tablets whole with water – do not chew them. You can take Celsentri with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule. Take Celsentri regularly at the same time each day for best results.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Take all your anti-HIV medicines as prescribed and at the right time to help them work better and prevent drug resistance.
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:
- diarrhea
- 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, shortness of breath, dizziness and looking pale
- 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
- changes in urination or urine color
- unexpected muscle aches, pain, paralysis or weakness
- signs of serious infections like meningitis or pneumonia
- bleeding problems
- convulsions, fits or seizures
- swollen glands
- mental problems including hallucinations
- inability to move facial muscles
- tingling or burning in hands or feet
- chest pain or angina
- severe upper stomach pain
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- blisters and peeling skin
- widespread skin rash, itching or hives
- signs of stroke
Important Warnings
Before taking Celsentri, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines you are taking.
Who Should Not Take Celsentri
Do not take Celsentri if you are allergic to maraviroc or any of the ingredients listed in this medication. 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. Your doctor may need to monitor your liver function during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Celsentri can harm your unborn child. You should not breastfeed while taking Celsentri because HIV can be transmitted through breast milk, and it is not known if maraviroc passes into breast milk.
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 you are taking.
St John's Wort: Do not take St John's Wort with Celsentri as it can prevent Celsentri from working properly.
- 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)
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin (seizure medicines)
- St John's Wort (hypericum perforatum)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Celsentri affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were mentioned in the source material. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Celsentri may cause dizziness and light-headedness in some people. Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Celsentri affects you.
Storage
Store Celsentri below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep the medicine in its original pack until it is time to take it. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Celsentri, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness or light-headedness when standing up. If this happens, lie down until you feel better and get up slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Celsentri works by reducing the amount of HIV in your body and helping your immune system. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular blood tests to see how well the medication is working.
Yes, you can take Celsentri with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with water and do not chew them.
Do not stop taking Celsentri suddenly or change the dose without talking to your doctor. You need to keep taking it every day to prevent your HIV infection from getting worse and to maintain control of your condition.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
No, Celsentri does not cure HIV infection. It helps control your condition by reducing the amount of HIV in your body, but you need to keep taking it every day along with other HIV medicines to prevent the illness from getting worse.
Yes, you can still pass on HIV when taking Celsentri through sexual activity or through blood or bodily secretions that carry the HIV virus. Use proper precautions to prevent transmission of HIV to others.
Your doctor needs to do a blood test to check what strain of HIV-1 virus you have before prescribing Celsentri. This is because Celsentri only works against certain types of HIV-1 virus that enter cells using the CCR5 receptor.
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.