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Fuzeon, |enfuvirtide Enfuvirtide

enfuvirtide

Generic Name: enfuvirtide (en FYOO vir tide)
Brand Names: Fuzeon

What is enfuvirtide?

Enfuvirtide is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called fusion inhibitors. Enfuvirtide prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from entering and taking over the cells in your body.

Enfuvirtide is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Enfuvirtide is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Enfuvirtide is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of HIV.

Enfuvirtide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about enfuvirtide?

Before using enfuvirtide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, if you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin, or if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia. You may not be able to use enfuvirtide, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Enfuvirtide may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you have a high viral load, a history of lung disease, or if you smoke. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, fever, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using enfuvirtide?

Before using enfuvirtide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia. You may not be able to use enfuvirtide, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Enfuvirtide may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you have a high viral load, a history of lung disease, or if you smoke. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, fever, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.

How should I use enfuvirtide?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use enfuvirtide in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Enfuvirtide is given as an injection under the skin of your arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and syringes used in giving the medicine.

Enfuvirtide is usually injected twice a day. Each vial of enfuvirtide is for a single use only.

Enfuvirtide is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (sterile water) provided with the medicine. After mixing the powder and the liquid, gently tap the vial for 10 seconds and then slowly roll it between your hands. Let the vial stand until the powder completely dissolves (up to 45 minutes). If the mixture is foamy or gel-like, allow more time for it to dissolve.

When you are ready to use the medicine, take the vial out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. Inspect the mixture again for particles or change in color. Do not draw your enfuvirtide dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Then throw away the vial, even if there is medicine left in it.

Use each needle and syringe only one time. Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-proof container. If your medicine does not come with such a container, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

It is important to use enfuvirtide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using enfuvirtide?

Using enfuvirtide will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Enfuvirtide side effects

• cough with fever, chest congestion, and shortness of breath;

• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms.

• nerve pain lasting for several weeks or months; or

• severe or prolonged (more than 7 days) injection site reaction.

Keep using the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• pain, itching, irritation, redness, swelling, or raised bumps under your skin where the medicine was injected;

• pain or numbness in your feet or legs;

• weakness or loss of strength;

• muscle pain;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• depression;

• loss of appetite; or

• constipation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect enfuvirtide?

Before using enfuvirtide, tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). You may not be able to use enfuvirtide, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs that can affect enfuvirtide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about enfuvirtide written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Enfuvirtide is available with a prescription under the brand name Fuzeon as an injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.