ETRAVIRINE What ADVERSE EFFECTS can this drug Your dosage is: cause? What should you do about them? 100 mg white tablets Other NAMES: Intelence™ Some people taking etravirine may develop ____ tablets (____mg) twice daily a mild to moderate rash. Other side effects Why is this drug prescribed? people experience include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, sleeplessness and Etravirine is an antiretroviral (anti-HIV) drug What should you do if you FORGET a anxiety. Patients may develop liver that is part of the non nucleoside reverse dose? problems and yellowing of the eyes. transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTIs or Non T Nukes) family. It is used together with other If you miss a dose of etravirine, and it is ell your doctor immediately if you develop a antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced less than 6 hours since the appointed time rash while taking etravirine. In most cases, adult patients, who have failed previous take it as soon as possible, with a meal; the rash can be treated with anti- therapy, and have HIV-1 strains which are then take your next dose at the scheduled inflammatory drugs or antihistamines. resistant to other retrovirals and NNRTIs. time. However, if it is more than 6 hours Consult your doctor or pharmacist before Etravirine is used to delay the progression since you missed your dose, do not take a taking any medications to treat the rash. of HIV infection. By using etravirine, your dose until your next regularly scheduled immune system should improve (increase in dose. If you develop a severe rash, or a rash with + CD4 count) and you will be better symptoms such as fever, blistering, mouth protected against opportunistic infections. Why should you not forget to take this sores, red eyes, swelling, muscle or joint drug? aches and a general feeling of being unwell, Etravirine does not cure AIDS or completely STOP taking etravirine. Speak with your kill the HIV virus, but helps to prevent If you miss doses of etravirine, the amount doctor immediately. further damage by slowing down the of HIV virus in your blood (known as the production of new viruses. Treatment with viral load) will start increasing again and Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to etravirine does not reduce the risk of your immune system will be further see if there are any changes in your liver passing infection on to others. You will still damaged. A few missed doses can be function, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. be able to pass HIV by sexual contact, by enough for etravirine to stop being active. blood transfer or by sharing needles. You A phenomenon known as resistance . It is important that you keep your doctor should always use appropriate precautions When this happens, other antiretrovirals appointments and come for your to prevent passing HIV on to others. that work in a similar way as etravirine may laboratory tests so that your progress also become inactive. Therefore, missing can be followed. doses of etravirine can decrease HOW should this drug be taken? treatment options for the future. Please What other PRECAUTIONS should you do not stop etravirine without talking to your follow while using this drug? The recommended dose of etravirine is doctor first. 200 mg (2 x 100 mg) twice daily with a You must make sure that you are taking the meal. The type of food eaten is right dose. If you take higher doses of unimportant, but etravirine should always be etravirine than what is prescribed, you may taken with a meal together with other increase the chance of having adverse antiretrovirals. effects. If you take lower doses of etravirine than what is prescribed, the HIV virus may included with your medication. become resistant to etravirine. Do not store in your bathroom or kitchen, as

Certain drugs can increase or decrease the heat and moisture may cause the drug to effect of etravirine. Also, etravirine might be less active. influence the effect of other drugs you are taking. Inform your doctor and pharmacist If you have any questions or concerns of all prescribed and non-prescribed drugs about this drug or if you are ETRAVIRINE you are taking. As well, you should inform experiencing adverse effects, please them of natural products or recreational discuss them with your pharmacist, (street) drugs you are taking. If you wish to doctor or nurse. start a new drug or natural product, please consult with your pharmacist before doing Write questions or concerns down to MEDICATION so. ensure they are addressed.

The doses of certain drugs may need to be The following pharmacist is available to FACT SHEET increased if you are taking etravirine. answer questions:

Etravirine should NOT be taken if you Pharmacist: ______are pregnant. Please inform your doctor if Telephone: ______you believe you are pregnant or if you wish to become pregnant in the near future. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment to help reduce the risk of passing the HIV virus on to your baby. A registry has been established to follow patients who are exposed to etravirine during pregnancy. Your doctor may register you by calling

1-800-258-4263. Breastfeeding is NOT recommended if you have HIV as you can transmit the virus to your baby through your breast milk.

How should this drug be STORED?

Etravirine should be stored in a cool (15- ° 30 C) dry place, protected from light and Reference: Product Monograph Intelence™ (etravirine). well out of the reach of children, in its Janssen-Ortho Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada: 2008. Prepared original bottle. Ensure that the drug has not by the Ontario HIV Pharmacy Professional Specialty Group, 2009. expired by checking the expiry date (“EXP”) shown on the outside of the package. Do Additional medication fact sheets and updates may be found not remove the small dessicant packs at: www.hivclinic.ca