Etravirine is a drugused in the treatment of HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus). UTo maximize its effectiveness, the use of etravirine can be combined with other antiviral drugs, such as nevirapine.
Etravirine belongs to the class of antiviral drugs non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). This drug will bind to the enzyme reverse transcriptase and inhibit the activity of enzymes that play a role in the formation of viral RNA or DNA. That way, the development and spread of the virus can be slowed down and the immune system can work better.
This way of working will also help reduce the risk of a number of complications from HIV/AIDS, such as severe infections, Kaposi's sarcoma, or other types of HIV/AIDS-related cancer. Please note that etravirine can not cure HIV.
Trademarks of etravirine: Intelligence
What is Etravirine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antivirus/antiretroviral (ARV) |
| Benefit | Treating and preventing HIV infection |
| Consumed by | Adults and children over 6 years old |
| Etravirine for pregnant and lactating women | Category B:Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Etravirine can be absorbed into breast milk, should not be used during breastfeeding. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Etravirine
There are several things you should pay attention to before taking etravirine, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Etravirine should not be taken by patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from liver disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or porphyria.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking etravirine if you plan to have certain medical procedures, such as surgery or dental surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you have an overdose, drug allergic reaction, or a more serious side effect after taking etravirine.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Entravirine
Etravirine must be used as prescribed by a doctor. The following are the doses of etravirine in the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children:
- Mature: 200 mg, 2 times daily in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
- Children >6 years old weighing 16–<20 kg: 100 mg, 2 times a day.
- Children >6 years of age weighing 20–<25 kg: 125 mg, 2 times a day.
- Children aged >6 years with weight body 25–<30 kg: 150 mg, 2 times a day.
- Children aged >6 years with body weight≥30 kgs: 200 mg, 2 times a day.
How to Take Etravirine Correctly
Use etravirine as recommended by the doctor and don't forget to read the information on the drug packaging. Do not increase or decrease the dose, and do not use the drug more than the recommended timeframe.
Etravirine can be taken after meals. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Swallow etravirine tablets whole with the help of water. Do not crush, split, or chew etravirine tablets.
If you have difficulty swallowing, the medicine can be mixed with water and stirred until dissolved.
Take etravirine at the same time each day. If you forget to take etravirine, take it immediately if the interval between the next consumption is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Keep taking this medicine even if you feel better. Consumption of drugs regularly and in accordance with doctor's recommendations can prevent the HIV virus from becoming resistant to the etravirine drug you are taking.
Consult your condition with your doctor regularly to determine the progress and response of your body to treatment with etravirine. Usually, people with HIV are also recommended to routinely undergo blood tests in the laboratory, on a regular basis.
Store etravirine in a dry place, in a closed container, at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Interactions of Etravirine with Other Drugs
The use of etravirine together with other drugs can cause several interactions, namely:
- Decreased blood levels of indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lovastatin, simvastatin, clopidogrel, immunosuppressant drugs, or antiarrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with warfarin
- Increased levels of diazepam or digoxin in the blood
- Decreased intravirine levels if used with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, rifapentine, dexamethasone, or macrolide drugs, such as erythromycin
Side Effects and Dangers of Etravirine
There are several side effects that can occur after taking etravirine, including:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Dizzy
- Accumulation of fat in the abdomen, chest, and waist
- Numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse.
While taking etravirine, the immune system will become stronger. In some conditions, this can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells. Immediately see a doctor if certain complaints arise, such as:
- Drastic weight loss
- Severe fatigue, muscle aches, or joint pain that doesn't go away
- Swollen lymph nodes, cough that doesn't go away, or sores appear on the skin
- High levels of thyroid hormone which can be characterized by the appearance of complaints in the form of restlessness, nervousness, excessive sweating, protruding eyes, tremors, or a lump in the neck appears.
- Impaired liver function which can be characterized by the appearance of complaints in the form of jaundice, dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, or severe abdominal pain
- Guallian Barre syndrome which can be characterized by the appearance of complaints in the form of paralysis, disturbances in speech, a drooping face, difficulty breathing
In addition, you should also see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction after taking etravirine.
