Raltegravir 400mg

Raltegravir 400 mg falls within the group of drugs called “antiretroviral agents”. This medication is used together with other antiretroviral drugs for the HIV treatment in adult people. It can be used in conjunction with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV infection in kids aged 2 to 16, if the other antiretroviral drugs have failed to keep the virus in check.

It acts by inhibiting an enzyme called HIV integrase, required to replicate the virus. When taken together with other antiretroviral drugs, Raltegravir helps the immunity by decreasing the amount of virus in the blood and enhancing the number of CD4/T-cells.

How to take the drug?

The common dosage of Raltegravir for adult people and teenagers is 400 mg orally, twice a day.
Possible adverse effects

The most widespread adverse effects caused by the use of Raltegravir 400 mg are: sickness/ vomiting, head pain, fatigue, swollen nasal passages, sleeping problems, URI, increased body temperature, chest cold, pain in the back, depression, etc. A more severe but less frequent adverse effects are Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe mucocutaneous reaction) and TEN (toxic epidermal necrolysis).
The use of Raltegravir 400 mg during pregnancy

Raltegravir 400 mg belongs to the Pregnancy Category C (which means that this drug can damage the fetus). Animal reproduction researches have shown a side effect on the developing baby and there are no appropriate and well-controlled researches undertaken in pregnant patients; however, potential advantages may justify use of this drug in pregnant women in spite of the possible dangers.

A disorder called “immune reconstitution syndrome” may occur in some patients suffering from advanced HIV infection (AIDS) in the begging of combination antiretroviral therapy. Patients may experience the symptoms of inflammation from co-infections, as the drugs work to cure the HIV infection and help to enhance the immune system. Contact your doctor at once if you have any signs of infection after starting the combination treatment with Raltegravir and other antiretroviral drugs.

Raltegravir 400 mg can’t reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others via sexual contact or needle sharing.