New Warning of Serious Intelence Side Effect

In August 2009, the FDA announced an updated side effect warning for Intelence (etravirine), the newest approved NNRTI. This comes after reports of severe allergic reactions, usually occurring during the first 6 weeks of taking the drug in a small percent of people. The new drug label warns that those who use the drug and experience these side effects should immediately contact their health providers to discuss possibly stopping Intelence.

The side effects include severe skin reactions, including the life-threatening rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Other hypersensitivity reactions include fever, general ill feeling, extreme tiredness, muscle or joint aches, blisters, oral lesions, eye inflammation, facial swelling and/or signs and symptoms of liver problems.