Raltegravir Tablets 400 mg

What is Raltegravir used for?

Raltegravir is sold under the brand name Isentress.  It is manufactured by Mcneil and Argus in India. It is used with other HIV  medications to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body. Your body’s immune system can work better. This lowers the chances of getting HIV complications such as new infections and cancers. It improves the quality of life. Raltegravir is known as an integrase inhibitor. It blocks the virus from growing and infecting more cells. It is not a cure for HIV infection. It decreases the risk of spreading HIV disease to others. Continue to take all medications as prescribed by your doctor. 

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It harms your immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell that helps your body infection. This puts you at risk for serious infections and certain cancers.

• How does HIV spread?

HIV can spread in different ways:

1. Through unprotected sex with a person with HIV. This is the most common way that it spreads.
2. By sharing drug needles 
3. Through contact with the blood of a person with HIV
4. From mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

• What are the signs and symptoms of HIV infection?

The first signs of HIV infection may be flu-like symptoms:

Fever

Chills

Rash

Night sweats

Muscle aches

Sore throat

Fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes 

Mouth ulcers

These symptoms may come and go within two or four weeks. This stage is called acute HIV infection.

Raltegravir comes as a tablet, and as granules for oral suspension to take by mouth. These tablets are usually taken with or without food twice a day. Take raltegravir at the same time every day. Do not take more or less. Before taking medicine consult your doctor. Dose and duration will be decided by the necessity and need of the patient. It depends on the treatment and may change from time to time. You should take medicine as per your doctor’s advice. This medicine is strictly not recommended for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. It takes some weeks and months to get a better result. Do not stop taking the medicine before your doctor’s advice.

Common side effects of this medicine include diarrhea, dizziness, headache, increased liver enzymes, insomnia ( difficulty in sleeping), muscle pain, and nausea. If these side effects become serious, you consult your doctor. Your doctor can prevent and give you relief from the side effects. You may feel better during the treatment. 

Benefit of Raltegravir 

• In the treatment of HIV infection

Raltegravir is used together with other medicines for the treatment of the infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It helps to keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the growth of HIV. It improves the immune system. This may help delay problems related to HIV disease from occurring.

Side effects of Raltegravir

Here are Some major and minor side effects of this medicine. But not all side effects need a doctor’s attention. If you observe any side effects become serious, You may consult your doctor.

Some of the common side effects of this medicine include:

Diarrhea

Gas 

Stomach pain

Heartburn

Insomnia

Abnormal dreams

Depression

Headache

Muscle pain

Dark colored urine

Chest pain 

Rash

Fever

Skin problems

Itching

Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat

Difficulty breathing

Red, itchy or swollen eyes

 Nausea

Vomiting

Loss of appetite

Shortness of breath

Drowsiness

How is Raltegravir taken?

Raltegravir comes as a tablet, and as granules for oral suspension to take by mouth. These tablets are usually taken with or without food twice a day. Take raltegravir at the same time every day. Do not take more or less. Always take this medicine as per your doctor’s consultation. Dose and duration will decide your doctor. You are not allowed to crush, chew and break the medicine. Swallow it as a whole. Drink plenty of water. Do not miss the dose. If you miss a dose skip the missed dose and follow your schedule regularly on the next day. Do not double the dose. Take medicine every day on time as prescribed by your doctor. Much other medicine can affect this medicine so let your doctor know all medication you are using during the treatment.

How does Raltegravir work?

Raltegravir is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of HIV in human cells. It stops HIV from producing new viruses.