Isentress is a medication that helps control the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This drug is an integrase inhibitor that blocks the virus from growing and infecting more cells in the body. When taken properly, Isentress will improve your quality of life and lower the chance of complications like infections and cancer. Those with HIV can live a long and healthy life if they take medications like Isentress and keep their viral load at a low level.

Make sure to always read the patient information and instructions before using this medication. Always follow your doctor’s directions.

• Isentress can be taken with or without food.
• This drug is usually taken once or twice a day at evenly spaced times.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not split or crush the pills.
• Do not use antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium when taking Isentress because it lessens the drugs’ efficiency.
• Do not increase your dose or stop taking Isentress without talking to your doctor.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• About your drug and other allergies.
• If you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medications.
• If you have a medical history of liver disease, muscle disorders, high blood levels of creatine kinase.
• If you are pregnant, you should only take this medication when clearly needed.
• Do not switch between different forms of Isentress without talking to your doctor

Common side effects of Isentress include but are not limited to:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping

Get medical help if you have any of the following side effects of raltegravir:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe tiredness
• Muscle aches or weakness that does not go away
• Vision changes
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Wounds that are slow to heal
• Signs of an overactive thyroid (goiter, irregular heartbeat, or bulging eyes)
• Kidney problems
• Changes in body fat (increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas)

Does Isentress cure HIV?

Isentress does not cure HIV or AIDS but reduces the amount of virus in the body over time. If fewer cells are affected by the virus, then fewer complications and symptoms will occur.

Can I use Isentress during Pregnancy?

Talk to your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Isentress. If you have HIV, Isentress can reduce the risk of passing the virus onto your child. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Breast milk can transmit HIV, so breastfeeding is typically not recommended.