Herbal Spotlight
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 Taking etravirine (Intelence)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed etravirine, an antiviral, for the treatment of your HIV-1 infection. This medication blocks reverse transcriptase, which is needed for the virus to transfer its information into your cells. The brand name of this drug is Intelence.
How you’ll take etravirine
You should take etravirine twice a day, after a meal.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose within 6 hours of the time you usually take it, take the dose after a meal, as soon as possible. Then take your next dose at the regular time. If you miss a dose by more than 6 hours, wait and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Don’t double up doses; don’t take more than the prescribed amount each day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, tingling or pain in hands or feet, numbness, high blood pressure.
Less common: opportunistic infections; changes in fat distribution to the upper back and neck, breast, chest, and stomach area; loss of fat from legs, arms, and face.
What you must know about other medications
Many drugs may interact with this drug, causing problems with effectiveness or causing more adverse effects. Always tell every health care provider who takes care of you that you are taking this drug. Keep a list of all medications that you are taking so they can be evaluated for possible problems and appropriate steps taken to prevent problems.
Special directions
- Take this drug twice a day, after a meal. Never take it on an empty stomach.
- Swallow the tablets whole with liquid; don’t chew them. If you can’t swallow the tablets, place them in a glass of water, stir well and, when the water looks milky, drink it immediately. Rinse the glass with water several times and completely swallow each time to get any residue, making sure that you receive the entire dose.
- Don’t use St. John’s wort while you are taking this medication; it can cause the drug to become ineffective.
- Store your medication at room temperature and protect it from moisture.
Keep in mind
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a fetus. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, consult your health care provider.
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a nursing baby. It’s strongly recommended that women with HIV infection not breast-feed.
- This drug doesn’t cure HIV-1 infections; you can still pass the HIV to others. Practice safe sex and never reuse or share needles.
- Report rash of any kind, any signs of infection (fever, swelling, redness), inability to eat, changes in your prescribed medications, or severe diarrhea.
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