An Overview of Isentress (Raltegravir, MK-0518)

ral-TEG-ra-vir

Brand Name: Isentress
Other Name(s): MK-0518, MK0158, RAL
Drug Class: Integrase Inhibitors

ISENTRESS^® (eye sen tris)
(raltegravir)
Tablets

Read the patient information that comes with ISENTRESS before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information.

What is ISENTRESS?

• ISENTRESS is an anti-HIV (antiretroviral) medicine used for the treatment of HIV. The term HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
• ISENTRESS is used along with other anti-HIV medicines. ISENTRESS will NOT cure HIV infection.
• People taking ISENTRESS may still develop infections, including opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen with HIV infection.
• Stay under the care of your doctor during treatment with ISENTRESS.
• The safety and effectiveness of ISENTRESS in children has not been studied.

ISENTRESS must be used with other anti-HIV medicines.

How does ISENTRESS work?

• ISENTRESS blocks an enzyme which the virus (HIV) needs in order to make more virus. The enzyme that ISENTRESS blocks is called HIV integrase.
• When used with other anti-HIV medicines, ISENTRESS may do two things:
  1. Reduce the amount of HIV in your blood. This is called your "viral load".
  2. Increase the number of white blood cells called CD4 (T) cells.
• ISENTRESS may not have these effects in all patients.

Does ISENTRESS lower the chance of passing HIV to other people?

No. ISENTRESS does not reduce the chance of passing HIV to others through sexual contact, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood.

• Continue to practice safer sex.
• Use latex or polyurethane condoms or other barrier methods to lower the chance of sexual contact with any body fluids. This includes semen from a man, vaginal secretions from a woman, or blood.
• Never re-use or share needles.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about safer sex or how to prevent passing HIV to other
people.

What should I tell my doctor before and during treatment with ISENTRESS?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Include any of the following that applies to you:

• You have any allergies.
• You have liver problems.
• You have phenylketonuria (PKU). ISENTRESS Chewable Tablets contain phenylalanine as part of the artificial sweetener, aspartame. The artificial sweetener may be harmful to people with PKU.
• You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • ISENTRESS is not recommended for use during pregnancy. ISENTRESS has not been studied in pregnant women. If you take ISENTRESS while you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about how you can be included in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry.
• You are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
  • It is recommended that HIV-infected women should not breast-feed their infants. This is because their babies could be infected with HIV through their breast milk.
  • Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.

• prescription medicines, including rifampin (a medicine used to treat some infections such as tuberculosis)
• non-prescription medicines
• vitamins
• herbal supplements

Know the medicines you take.

• Keep a list of your medicines. Show the list to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.