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Delavirdine

Other Names: DLV, Rescriptor®
Manufacturer: Pharmacia

What is it?

Delavirdine is an antiretroviral medication, specifically a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It is used to treat HIV, a retrovirus. Retroviruses use the genetic material in the body’s cells to produce more virus which can infect other cells.

How does it work?

Delavirdine interferes with the life cycle of HIV to stop it from producing more virus. Specifically, it ties up the reverse transcriptase enzyme so it cannot build the genetic material needed to make more virus and infect more cells.

How do I take it?

  • Delavirdine is available as 100 mg and 200 mg film-coated tablets.
  • The usual dose of delavirdine is 400mg three times each day.
  • Delavirdine may be taken with or without food.
  • It is best to avoid taking antacid products within one hour before or one hour after taking your delavirdine doses.

It is extremely important that you take delavirdine and your other antiretroviral medications exactly as directed. You should set up a system that will help you remember to take your medicines so that you do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible; however, if you skip a dose, do not take two doses at once. Do not stop taking the medication for any reason at any time unless you are directed to do so by your study clinician. If you are unable to continue taking your medication due to side effects, you should contact your study clinician immediately.

Special Considerations

  • Delavirdine should be stored at controlled room temperature in a dry place, out of the reach of children.
  • Please bring your medication bottles (empty and partially used) to each study visit.

Interactions

Some drugs taken together may have interactions that cause illness or impair the effectiveness of the drugs. It is a good idea to always check with your study clinician before taking any other medications, prescription or otherwise, to be sure it will not interact with delavirdine.

The following drugs are known to interact with delavirdine:

  • alprazolam (Xanax®)
  • antacids (Tums®, Maalox®, Mylanta®)
  • anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine)
  • astemizole (Hismanal®)
  • clarithromycin (Biaxin®)
  • cisapride (Propulsid®)
  • dapsone
  • midazolam (Versed®)
  • nifedipine (Adalat®, Procardia®)
  • quinidine
  • rifabutin
  • terfenadine (Seldane®)
  • warfarin (Coumadin®)

Delavirdine may also interact with other antiretroviral agents, such as indinavir. It is thought that delavirdine increases the drug levels of indinavir. If you will be taking indinavir in this study, the dose of indinavir may be reduced.

Side Effects

Not everyone experiences side effects. When they do occur, they may be mild, moderate or severe. Some side effects cannot be felt by the patient but can be found through laboratory tests, so it is important to see your care provider regularly for checkups, so that side effects can be detected early and treated.

The most common side effects of delavirdine are rash, headache, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia (low red-blood cell count), and changes in liver function tests.

Symptoms of anemia that you may notice include unusual tiredness or weakness, and shortness of breath. If you begin having any of these symptoms, please contact your study clinician.

If you experience a severe rash or a rash accompanied by a fever, blisters in your mouth, swelling, muscle or joint aches, you should call your clinician immediately. A serious reaction known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can occur with delavirdine.

 

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