Generic Name: delavirdine
Brand Name: Rescriptor
Drug Class: HIV, NNRTIs
What is delavirdine, and what is it used for?
Delavirdine is an oral medication that is used for the treatment of infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is similar to efavirenz (Sustiva) and nevirapine (Viramune). Delavirdine is in a class of drugs called reverse transcriptase inhibitors which also includes zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir), didanosine (Videx), and lamivudine (Epivir).
During infection with HIV, the HIV virus multiplies within the body's cells. The newly-formed viruses then are released from the cells and spread throughout the body where they infect other cells. In this manner, the infection spreads to new, uninfected cells that the body is continually producing, and HIV infection is perpetuated. When producing new virus, the HIV virus must manufacture new DNA for each virus.
Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme that the virus uses to form this new DNA. Delavirdine directly inhibits the activity of reverse transcriptase and blocks the production of DNA and new virus. Delavirdine does not kill existing HIV virus, and it is not a cure for HIV. Delavirdine was approved by the FDA in April 1997.
What are the side effects of delavirdine?
The most common side effects of delavirdine are:
Other important side effects include
What is the dosage for delavirdine?
The recommended dose for adults is 400 mg three times daily. To administer as a solution four 100 mg tablets in at least 3 oz of water should stand for a few minutes. It then shoud be mixed and consumed in its entirety immediately. Delavirdine may be administered without regard to meals since food does not reduce its absorption.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It is not known whether delavirdine is secreted in breast milk. HIV infected mothers should not nurse their infants because of the risk of transmitting HIV to an infant that is not infected.
What else should I know about delavirdine?
What preparations of delavirdine are available?
Tablets: 100 and 200 mg
How should I keep delavirdine stored?
Delavirdine should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F).
SLIDESHOW
A Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic See SlideshowSummary
Delavirdine is a drug prescribed along with other anti-HIV drugs to treat HIV infection. The most common side effects of delavirdine are rash, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and weakness. Several drugs interact with delavirdine.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a sexually transmitted virus that attacks the immune system. If it is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Currently, there is no cure for HIV. Once someone is infected, they have it for life, though with treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy, fulfilling lives.
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What Foods Should HIV Patients Avoid?
People living with HIV face several health challenges because their bodies must work harder to fight infections. HIV patients should avoid foods high in sodium, sugar, and trans and saturated fats.
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Can I Get HIV From Surfaces?
Studies proved that HIV cannot be transmitted through surfaces such as toilet seats, chairs, doorknobs, drinking glasses and bedsheets. The virus cannot survive outside a human host; hence, transmission through air, water (swimming pools), insect bite or casual contacts such as handshake, hug or touch is not possible.
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What Is a Detectable HIV Viral Load? Normal Viral Load
Detectable viral load is defined as having more than 200 copies of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) per milliliter of blood.
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Can the HIV Virus Go Away?
There is no cure or vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; however, early treatment can help increase the life expectancy of infected people.
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AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Symptoms and signs of AIDS include pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jiroveci, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, seizures, weakness, meningitis, yeast infection of the esophagus, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is used in the treatment of AIDS.
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Is It Possible for HIV to Go Away on Its Own?
When a person contracts the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), they are infected for life; however, early treatment can help them live normal lives.
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Can HIV be Cured Naturally?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If someone has HIV it means that they have been diagnosed with the HIV infection. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome); however, is the most advanced or final stage of the HIV infection. It is important to get tested for HIV in the early stages of infection to minimize the damage to the immune system. Successful treatment aims to reduce HIV load to a level that is harmless to the body.
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Can I Get HIV From Casual Contact Like Hugging or Touching?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot spread through casual contact such as hugging or touching. HIV does not spread through urine, saliva, tears, sweat, kissing (closed mouth or social kissing), shaking hands, sharing utensils, sharing food or drinks, sharing clothes, or from toilet seats. HIV is spread through bodily fluids from a person with HIV.
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Can I Test HIV Positive If My Viral Load is Undetectable?
You can still test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) even if your viral load is undetectable.
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Does HIV Have a Permanent Cure?
As of now, there is no permanent HIV cure, but antiretroviral treatment can effectively control HIV.
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HIV vs. AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus causes HIV infection. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition that results after HIV has extensively damaged a person's immune system. Risk factors for HIV and AIDS include use of contaminated needles or syringes, unprotected sex, STDs, receiving a blood transfusion prior to 1985 in the United States, having many sex partners, and transmission from a mother to her child.
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HIV Life Expectancy and Long-term Outlook
With early diagnosis and proper treatment, people with HIV can live a healthy and long life. There is no generalized definitive period for which a person with HIV can live.
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What Is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus that causes immunosuppression. The difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is the first stage of the viral illness while AIDS represents the progression of the illness.
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What Does HIV Do to a Person?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and weakens the immune system, impairing the body's ability to fight diseases and infections.
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Does HIV Have Different Strains?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) constantly replicates itself, resulting in multiple strains, which are mainly divided into two types (HIV-1 and HIV-2).
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Is HIV PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) Recommended for Me?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to a short course of antiretroviral medications taken soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from infecting your body.
Treatment & Diagnosis
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- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- Retrovir (zidovudine, ZDV, formerly called AZT)
- What Are NNRTIs In Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infection?
- efavirenz (Sustiva)
- lamivudine (3tc) (Epivir; Epivir HBV)
- didanosine (Videx, Videx EC)
- nevirapine (Viramune, Viramune XR)
- Combivir (lamivudine and zidovudine)
- stavudine (Zerit)
- Side Effects of Rescriptor (delavirdine)
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.