Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Intelence

Generic Name: etravirine (Pronunciation: E tra VIR een)

What is etravirine (Intelence)?

Etravirine is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Etravirine is used with other medications to treat HIV, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Etravirine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Etravirine is usually given after other antiviral drugs have been tried without successful treatment of HIV.

Etravirine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of etravirine (Intelence)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, etravirine can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Stop taking etravirine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
the first sign of any type of skin rash, no matter how mild;
fever, chills, body aches, mouth sores, feeling very tired, or any other signs of new infection;
chest pain, trouble breathing;
confusion, seizure;
urinating less than usual or not at all, swelling, rapid weight gain; or
nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
dizziness, drowsiness;
blurred vision;
upset stomach, constipation, heartburn, dry mouth;
sleep problems (insomnia), unusual dreams;
increased sweating; or
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about etravirine (Intelence)?

There are many other medicines that can interact with etravirine, or make it less effective. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking etravirine (Intelence)?»

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.