Raltegravir-AM

Please read this factsheet together with the patient information leaflet carefully before taking your medicine. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Raltegravir, also known as MK-0518 and by the brand name ISENTRESS®, belongs to a class of drugs to treat HIV infection called integrase inhibitors. Integrase inhibitors are used for the treatment of HIV infection, in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Please speak to your clinic doctor or pharmacist if you would like more information about how these drugs work.

Before taking Raltegravir
Tell your doctor about:

* All other drugs that you are taking, including any that you buy over the counter in a community
pharmacy and any herbal medicines or recreational drugs;
* Any previous allergy to any other medicines;
* If you have ever had any liver disease;
* If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant;

Taking your Raltegravir

* Raltegravir is a pink oval tablet containing 400mg of raltegravir;
* The recommended dose of raltegravir is 400mg (1 tablet) twice daily with or without food;
* The doses should be divided equally throughout the day: try to take the doses as close as
possible to twelve hours apart, and at the same times each day;
* Raltegravir, like all antiretrovirals, works best if there is a constant amount in your bloodstream.;
It is therefore very important to take the capsules regularly. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose anyway, forget about the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not double the next dose Do not run out of raltegravir. If you are going on holiday and need additional supplies, tell your doctor. When receiving a supply from pharmacy, ensure that you have an adequate supply to last until your next appointment.

Other drugs and raltegravir
Raltegravir does appear to interfere with many other drugs. However, some drugs may interfere with other antiretrovirals that you may be on as part of your combination, so please inform your doctor or pharmacist of any other medication, herbal remedies or recreational drugs that you are taking.

Rifampicin may alter levels of Raltegravir and your doctor may adjust your dose of Raltegravir.

Side effects
Raltegravir, like all other medicines, has some side effects. The most common side effects observed
in combination with other HIV drugs were:

* Abdominal pain, constipation;
* Dizziness;
* Pruritus (itching);
* Fatigue (tiredness);
* Joint pain;

Admission to hospital
If you are admitted to hospital please bring all your medicines with you. This is especially important
for anti-HIV drugs, as they have to be taken regularly. Thomas Macaulay Ward now operates a self
medication programme. Some patients are able to self administer their own medicines to enable
them to continue with the routine they have been used to at home.
Storing raltegravir
Raltegravir should be stored at room temperature. Store in original package.