 Using maraviroc (Selzentry)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed maraviroc, a new antiretroviral medication for the treatment of your HIV infection. This medication prevents the HIV virus from binding with your blood cell membrane and entering your blood cell. This medication is given in combination with other HIV antiretroviral medications. The brand name of this medication is Selzentry.
How you'll take Selzentry
You'll take this medication twice a day with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole; do not cut, crush or chew the tablets. Always take this medication with other anti-HIV medications that have been prescribed for you.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then take the regularly scheduled dose at the regular time. If it's less than 6 hours until the next scheduled dose, skip that dose and just take the next scheduled dose. Don't double up doses and don't take more than two doses in any given day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: colds, cough, dizziness (avoid driving a car or any dangerous activities until you know how this medication will affect you), fever, headache, muscle aches and pain, rash, trouble sleeping.
Less common: liver problems, heart problems.
What you must know about other medications
The effectiveness of this medication may be changed if it's combined with certain other medications, including other antiretroviral agents. Tell all of your health care providers that you're taking this medication so appropriate dosage adjustments can be made to ensure effectiveness and decrease adverse effects. St. John’s wort can block the effectiveness of this medication; don't use St. John’s wort when you're taking this medication.
Special directions
- Remember to swallow the tablets whole; do not cut, crush of chew the tablets.
- Don't stop taking this medication; if you're running low, talk to your health care provider about a refill. The medication could stop working if stopped for even a short period of time.
- Always take this medication with your other prescribed antiretroviral medications.
- You'll be at increased risk for infections and cancer. Have regular medical care and screening. Avoid situations where there's greater risk of infection.
- Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
Keep in mind
- This medication doesn't cure HIV or AIDS. Opportunistic infections may occur; get regular medical care to deal with the disease.
- Maraviroc doesn't reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to others by sexual contact or blood contamination; use appropriate precautions.
- It isn't known if this medication could affect an unborn baby. If you wish to become pregnant, discuss this with your health care provider. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, consult your health care provider about enrolling in the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry.
- It's recommended that an HIV-positive woman not breast-feed her babies, and it isn't known how this medication could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, another method of feeding the baby should be used while you're taking this medication.
- Your health care provider will check your blood counts and liver function regularly during treatment.
- You may experience dizziness. Don't drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Report rash, difficulty breathing, changes in the color of stool or urine, fainting, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or infections.
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