Drugs & Vitamins

Delavirdine Active Ingredients: Delavirdine Representative Names: Rescriptor What are delavirdine tablets? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I take this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with delavirdine? What side effects may I notice from taking delavirdine? What should I watch for while taking delavirdine? Where can I keep my medicine? What are delavirdine tablets? (Back to top) DELAVIRDINE (Rescriptor®) is an antiviral drug called a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or NNRTI. Delavirdine is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Delavirdine may reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells (T-cells) in the blood. Delavirdine is used in combination with other drugs to treat the HIV virus. Delavirdine will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS. You may still develop other infections or conditions associated with HIV. Generic delavirdine tablets are not yet available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •achlorhydria (a condition associated with a decreased amount of stomach acid) •liver disease •an unusual or allergic reaction to delavirdine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should I take this medicine? (Back to top) Take delavirdine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. Delavirdine can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Delavirdine 100 mg tablets may be dissolved in water, if you find them difficult to swallow. To dissolve, add four (4) 100 mg tablets to at least 3 ounces of water, allow to stand for a few minutes, and then stir. Take the liquid immediately. Rinse the glass thoroughly with water and drink the rinse to make sure you get the whole dose. Delavirdine 200 mg tablets do not dissolve in water and should be swallowed whole. Delavirdine 200 mg tablets are smaller than the 100 mg tablets. To make sure that your medication works as well as possible to treat your condition, take all of your medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact with delavirdine? (Back to top) Delavirdine can interact with a large number of other drugs. Make sure to discuss all of your medicines with your health care prescriber before starting delavirdine or any other new medicine. The following drugs should NOT be taken with delavirdine: •alprazolam (Xanax®) •astemizole (Hismanal®) •carbamazepine (Tegretol®) •cisapride (Propulsid®) •ergotamine medicines (Cafergot®, Migranal®, D.H.E. 45®, and others) •lovastatin (Mevacor®) •midazolam (Versed®) •phenobarbital •phenytoin (Dilantin®) •pimozide (Orap®) •rifabutin (Mycobutin®) •rifampin (Rimactane®, Rifadin®, Rifater®, Rifamate®) •simvastatin (Zocor®) •St. John's wort or products containing St. John's Wort •terfenadine (Seldane®) •triazolam (Halcion®) •red yeast rice As an interaction is possible, discuss your medicines with your prescriber before taking any these drugs with delavirdine: •antacids •anti-HIV medicines such as amprenavir, didanosine, ddI, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir •birth control pills or other hormonal birth control medicines (like the patch, ring, or injections) •certain strong medicines for pain (Demerol®, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, Vicodin®, etc.) •clarithromycin •cyclosporine •dapsone •dexamethasone •dexfenfluramine •dextroamphetamine •dextromethorphan •doxercalciferol •dronabinol, THC •imatinib, STI-571 •itraconazole •levomethadyl •medicines for depression •medicines for high cholesterol (e.g., atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin) •medicines for high blood pressure •medicines for nerves or sleep •medicines for stomach ulcers or heartburn (e.g., Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Tagamet®, or Zantac®) •medicines to control heart rate •ketoconazole •paricalcitol •sildenafil •sirolimus •tacrolimus •warfarin Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from taking delavirdine? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine •skin rash, itching, or rash with symptoms such as fever, blisters, eye irritation, edema, redness, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth, and/or muscle and joint pain •swelling of the eyelids, face, hands, or feet •unusual tiredness or weakness •yellowing of the skin Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •cough •depression •diarrhea •difficulty sleeping •headache •nausea, vomiting •stomach pain •tiredness What should I watch for while taking delavirdine? (Back to top) Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Discuss any new symptoms with your prescriber or health care professional. The most common side effect of delavirdine is a skin rash. The rash occurs mainly on the upper body and arms, and sometimes on the neck and face. The rash appears as a red area with slight bumps, and it can be itchy. The rash is most common 1—3 weeks after you start taking delavirdine, and it usually lasts no more than 2 weeks. If you notice a severe rash or rash accompanied by symptoms such as fever, blisters, mouth sores, eye irritation, swelling, and/or muscle or joint pains, notify your prescriber immediately; these could be signs of a serious reaction. Patients who develop these symptoms may need to stop treatment with delavirdine. Delavirdine will not cure HIV and you can still get other illnesses or complications associated with your health condition. Taking delavirdine does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone. Delavirdine requires acid in the stomach to be absorbed into the body. Patients with achlorhydria (no or a decreased amount of stomach acid) should take delavirdine tablets with an acidic beverage (e.g., orange or cranberry juice). Do not take antacids or didanosine, ddI, within 1 hour of taking delavirdine. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature 20—25 degrees C (68—77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Protect from high humidity (keep away from moisture such as a sink or other damp places). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Last Updated:08/14/2006 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.