Raltegravir, also known as raltegravir potassium and RAL, typically is a medicine widely used as part of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It was approved by the FDA in 2007 as an ARV (antiretroviral) medicine for individuals with HIV infection. Raltegravir comes as tablets under the brand name Isentress and is manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
Raltegravir tablet is a type of drug named an integrase inhibitor. Integrase inhibitors inhibit integrase (an HIV enzyme). HIV uses integrase in order to insert (integrate) its viral DNA into the DNA of host CD4 cells. Inhibiting the integrase prevents HIV from replicating.
When used in combination with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV infection, raltegravir may help:
Reduce the level of HIV in the blood. This is called viral load.
Increase the number of CD4 cells in the blood that help fight off other infections.
Reducing the level of HIV and increasing the CD4 cells in your blood may help enhance your immune system. This may reduce the probability of death or catching opportunistic infections (OIs) that may happen when your immune system is not strong.
Raltegravir treatment does not cure HIV infection or AIDS. You must keep taking your HIV medications in order to control HIV infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses.
How is Raltegravir Supplied
The raltegravir 400 mg is typically supplied in two forms: Isentress and Isentress HD.
Isentress: Isentress is a prescription HIV drug approved to be used along with other ARVs for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children who weigh at least 2 kg (4.4 pounds). The safety, as well as the effectiveness of this medicine, has not been established in children who weigh below 2 kg (4.4 pounds).
Isentress HD: Isentress HD is a prescription HIV drug that is approved to be used along with other ARVs for the treatment of HIV infection in adults and children who weigh at least 40 kg (88 pounds) who have not taken any ARVs earlier or whose virus has been suppressed on an initial regimen of Isentress.
All the patients living with HIV should be on antiretroviral therapy to keep healthy and not transmit the virus to others. You and your health specialist should consider your CD4 cell count, your viral load, any signs/symptoms you are having, and your preferences when choosing which existing HIV medicines are appropriate for you.
Who Should Not Take Raltegravir
Do not take the medication raltegravir in case you are allergic to raltegravir or any of the existing ingredients in this medicinal product.
Avoid taking raltegravir (Isentress) in case you take the following medicines:
Aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids
Seizure medicines: phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin
Avoid taking raltegravir (Isentress HD) in case you take the following medicines:
Aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids
Seizure medicines: phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin
Tuberculosis (TB) medicines: rifapentine, rifampin
Calcium carbonate-containing antacids
Other ARVs: etravirine (Intelence), tipranavir, ritonavir (Norvir)
Ask your health specialist in case you are not sure if your medication is the one that is mentioned above. In case you have previously (past 4 weeks) taken any of these drugs, talk to your health specialist before initiating treatment with raltegravir.
Dosage and Administration
The medicine Raltegravir is typically taken orally (by mouth) as a film-coated tablet, chewable tablet, or oral suspension.
The recommended dosage of Raltegravir (Isentress) for adults who have or have not taken any antiretrovirals previously is 800 mg daily taken as one raltegravir 400 mg film-coated tablet twice a day, along with other ARVs.
The recommended dosage of Raltegravir (Isentress HD) for adults who have not taken any ARVs previously or who are virologically suppressed on an initial regimen of 400 mg twice a day is 1,200 mg daily taken as two 600 mg film-coated tablets once a day, along with other ARVs.
The recommended dosage of Raltegravir (Isentress and Isentress HD) for children varies on behalf of the child’s age, weight, and other medications they are taking. Your health specialist will determine the appropriate dosage.
Film-coated tablets need to be swallowed whole. And the chewable pills may be chewed or swallowed whole. You need to take the raltegravir 400 mg tablets along with other antiretrovirals. Your health specialist will tell you what medications to take and what is the best to take.
Tablets of Isentress are not the same as tablets of Isentress HD for oral suspension and can't be substituted for each other. Check properly to make sure you receive the appropriate form of raltegravir each time you or your child’s prescription is filled in order to avoid using the wrong medication.
How Does Raltegravir Work?
Raltegravir is specifically an antiretroviral that inhibits the replication of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It falls under the group of medications named integrase inhibitors. The raltegravir 400 mg tablet is used as soon as possible just after exposure to HIV in order to prevent the progression of the virus through your system and therefore help fight infection.
In Case of Missed a Dose
In case less than six hours after your missed dose: Take the missed dose of Raltegravir as soon as possible and take the very next scheduled dose at around the usual time.
In case more than 6 hours after your missed dose: Skip the missed dose of Raltegravir and take your very next scheduled dose at around the usual time. Do not double up your doses.
Adverse Effects of Raltegravir
Treatment with Raltegravir is usually well tolerated. Headaches, fatigue, muscle pains, and sometimes gastrointestinal effects may appear in some individuals. In case these occur and persist, talk to your health specialist to find solutions to better cope with them.
Storage, Availability, and Price
Store Raltegravir tablets in a dry place at temperature (15°C to 30°C or 59°F to 86°F). Keep the tablets out of sight and out of the reach of children. At present, there is no therapeutically equivalent version of Raltegravir available. The raltegravir price in India might be very reasonable. In order to know the wholesale price and procurement details of Raltegravir, kindly contact us through our TOLL-FREE: 1800-889-1064. We are a leading Distributor, Supplier, Exporter, Retailer, and Wholesaler of Generic and Branded prescription medicines.
General Advice
Keep up with all your appointments with your doctor and your healthcare team so they can keep a precise check on your health.