Intelence

Generic Name: etravirine (Oral route)

e-tra-VIR-een

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Intelence

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antiretroviral Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor

Uses For Intelence

Etravirine is used together with other medicines to treat an infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medicine is usually given to patients who have received HIV treatment in the past.

Etravirine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps keep the HIV virus from reproducing and appears to slow the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay some of the problems related to AIDS or HIV disease. Etravirine will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who take this medicine may continue to have other problems related to AIDS or HIV disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Intelence

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of etravirine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of etravirine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients using etravirine.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amiodarone


• Atazanavir


• Bepridil


• Carbamazepine


• Clarithromycin


• Clopidogrel


• Cyclosporine


• Delavirdine


• Dexamethasone


• Diazepam


• Disopyramide


• Efavirenz


• Flecainide


• Fosamprenavir


• Indinavir


• Itraconazole


• Ketoconazole


• Lidocaine


• Maraviroc


• Mexiletine


• Nelfinavir


• Nevirapine


• Phenobarbital


• Phenytoin


• Posaconazole


• Propafenone


• Quinidine


• Rifabutin


• Rifampin


• Rifapentine


• Rilpivirine


• Ritonavir


• Sirolimus


• St John's Wort


• Tacrolimus


• Tipranavir


• Warfarin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atorvastatin


• Buprenorphine


• Desogestrel


• Dienogest


• Digoxin


• Drospirenone


• Estradiol Cypionate


• Estradiol Valerate


• Ethinyl Estradiol


• Ethynodiol Diacetate


• Etonogestrel


• Fluconazole


• Levonorgestrel


• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate


• Mestranol


• Methadone


• Norelgestromin


• Norethindrone


• Norgestimate


• Norgestrel


• Raltegravir


• Sildenafil


• Voriconazole

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease (including hepatitis B or C)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of Intelence

It is important to take this medicine together with other medicines for HIV. Be sure to take all of the medicines your doctor ordered, and to take them at the right times. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your doctor.

It is best to take etravirine following a meal.

Swallow the tablet whole with a liquid such as water. Do not chew it. If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may dissolve it in a glass with a small amount of water. Be sure to drink or swallow the entire mixture right away. Then refill your glass with water and drink it so that none of the medicine is left in the glass. .

Keep taking etravirine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Do not change the amount or stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. .

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. .

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  
  • For HIV infection:
    
    • Adults—200 milligrams (mg) two times a day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Intelence

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine will not keep you from giving HIV to your partner during sex. Make sure you understand and practice safe sex, even if your partner also has HIV. Do not share needles with anyone.

It is important to tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Your doctor may want you to join a pregnancy registry for patients taking this medicine.

When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger. If you have certain infections, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, you may notice new symptoms when your body tries to fight them. If this occurs, be sure to tell your doctor.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; itching; joint or muscle pain; rash; red skin lesions; sore throat; or sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips.

This medicine may cause you to have excess body fat. Tell your doctor if you notice changes in your body shape, such as an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, or around the chest and stomach area; or a loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face.

Do not take any other medicines without checking first with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements. To do so may increase the chance of side effects from etravirine.

Intelence Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Rash

Less common

• Blurred vision


• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations


• dizziness


• headache


• nervousness


• pounding in the ears


• slow or fast heartbeat


• unsteadiness or awkwardness


• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Rare

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin


• chills


• cough


• diarrhea


• fever


• hives


• hoarseness


• irritation


• itching


• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling


• muscle pain


• red skin lesions, often with a purple center


• red, irritated eyes


• redness of the skin


• shortness of breath


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips


• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet


• tightness in the chest


• trouble with breathing or swallowing


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Nausea

Less common

• Stomach pain


• vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Intelence side effects (in more detail)

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More Intelence resources

• Intelence Side Effects (in more detail)
• Intelence Dosage
• Intelence Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Intelence Drug Interactions
• Intelence Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Intelence - Add your own review/rating

• Intelence Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Intelence Consumer Overview


• Intelence Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Intelence MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Etravirine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Intelence with other medications

• HIV Infection