Has your doctor prescribed you medication to treat your HIV infection? Is this pill called Doravirine among those medications? So today, let's talk about the important things you need to know about this medication. Knowing these will be very helpful in getting your treatment right.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Doravirine is a medication used to treat HIV infection. It belongs to a class of drugs called antiretrovirals . This medication is not given alone, but is usually given in combination with other medications for HIV.
Many people think that these medications can completely cure HIV. But that is not true. These medications are not a cure for HIV. Instead, they control the HIV virus in your body. Also, when used correctly, they can reduce the risk of you passing HIV on to someone else. But it is important to remember that they do not completely eliminate the risk.
This medicine can be found in Sri Lanka and various countries around the world under the brand name PIFELTRO .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this medication, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell them about them.
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medicine, Doravirine, or any other medicine, food, preservatives, or dyes .
- If you are pregnant , or planning to have a baby soon.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
This information is very important for the safety and success of your treatments.
How do I use this medicine exactly?
The method of using this medicine is very simple.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- You can take this with or without food. However, some people may experience stomach upset if they take it without food. If this happens, take it with food.
- The most important thing is to take this medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes, at the right time, and without missing a single dose. When you skip your medication, the HIV virus in your body becomes resistant to this medicine and other medicines for HIV. This means that the medicine may no longer work. So, keep taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you give this medicine to children...
In some special cases, this medicine can also be prescribed to children. However, this decision is made by a pediatrician. Therefore, if you are giving this to a child, talk to your doctor about it and get advice.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdosage)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
We sometimes forget to take our medicine while we are busy, don't we? If that happens, don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
This is a very important part. Some medications can cause problems when taken with Doravirine. So you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and vitamins.
| Interactions with Doravirine | |
|---|---|
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. | |
| Other medications for HIV | Any medicine containing Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine |
| Antibiotics | Some types, such as Rifampin and Rifapentine |
| Medicines for epilepsy/ seizures | Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Primidone |
| Other medications | Apalutamide, Enzalutamide, Mitotane, St. John's wort (herbal extract) |
| Problems can occur with this medicine (tell the doctor) | |
| Antibiotics | Rifabutin |
This list is not complete. So it's safest to tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Doravirine can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.
| Side Effects | |
|---|---|
| If any of these occur, tell your doctor immediately. | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Infections | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, non-healing wounds, pain when urinating, and general malaise. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea, Nausea, Stomach pain |
| Other things | Dizziness , headache, unusual tiredness, vivid dreams or nightmares |
How do you protect your medicine?
To maintain the quality of medicines, they must be stored properly.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at normal room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), in a dry, well-ventilated place .
- Keep the medicine in the original bottle it came in. Close the bottle cap tightly.
- Do not remove the small packet (desiccant) inside the bottle. It prevents the medication from absorbing moisture.
- Do not use expired medications. Ask your doctor about the safest way to dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- Doravirine is a medicine that controls HIV infection, but it is not a cure.
- It is very important to take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, without missing a single dose. Otherwise, the virus may become resistant to the medicine.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- If a serious side effect (especially an allergic reaction) occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medicine or your medical condition, please speak to your doctor without hesitation.
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