Has your doctor prescribed Raltegravir to control your HIV status, or that of someone in your family? When you hear the name of a medicine like this, you may feel a little scared and have a lot of questions in your mind. But don't worry. This is a very important medicine that can change your life for the better. Today, we will talk about this medicine, what it does, how to use it, and what precautions you need to take, in a very simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Raltegravir?
This is an antiretroviral drug . Although the name may sound a bit complicated, it is very simple. HIV is a virus that attacks our body's immune system. This drug works by preventing the virus from multiplying inside the body, that is, controlling its spread.
The most important thing to remember is that this is not a cure for HIV. However, if used correctly, it can help you keep the amount of virus in your body at a very low level, helping you to live a healthy, normal life. It also reduces the risk of passing HIV to others, but it does not stop it completely. Therefore, it is important to continue to follow safe practices.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
For your safety, your doctor should have a complete picture of your health before starting this medication. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell them about it.
| Information to be reported | Description |
|---|---|
| Liver diseases | If you have any liver disease, please tell us about it. |
| Phenylketonuria | This is a rare, congenital condition. If you have this, inform your doctor. |
| Mental health problems | If you or someone in your family has ever had depression or suicidal thoughts, it's very important to talk about it without hiding it. |
| Allergies | Tell us if you have any allergies to this medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor. |
| Breastfeeding | If you are breastfeeding your baby, talk to your doctor about that too. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of this medicine, you need to know how to use it correctly.
- Take exactly as your doctor tells you: Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time. Never skip doses. If you do, the virus can become resistant not only to this medicine, but also to other HIV medicines. This means that the medicine may not work as well.
- Can be taken with or without food: You can take this medicine with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
If the tablets are chewed or swallowed whole
You can chew these tablets or swallow them whole with water. Take them in a way that is convenient for you.
If you give it to small children diluted
Sometimes this medicine is prescribed for babies over 4 weeks of age. In such cases, the tablets are given in liquid form. This is how it is done:
1. Place the prescribed number of pills in a clean, small cup.
2. Add 5 milliliters (5 mL) of liquid (water, fruit juice, or breast milk) to the cup per tablet . (Example: 10 mL of liquid for 2 tablets).
3. Let it sit for about 2 minutes. Then, if there are any pieces that haven't melted yet, mash them well with a clean spoon to melt them.
4. As soon as you make it, feed it to your child without waiting for a moment.
5. If you see that there is some medicine left in the cup, add about 5 milliliters of liquid to the cup, stir well, and give that to the child as well.
When giving this medicine to children, it is extremely important to follow the pediatrician's instructions.
What to do if you accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you've taken too much medicine, don't delay.
- Immediately call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
- Otherwise, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
That may happen. Don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications, when taken with this medicine, can affect its effectiveness. Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
- Medicines for other diseases
- Vitamins and supplements
- Ayurvedic or traditional medicine
Below are some medications that may interact with this medicine.
- carbamazepine
- etravirine
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
- rifampin
- tipranavir
- Some antacids (used for gastritis)
This list is not complete, so it's best to give your doctor a complete list of everything you take.
Possible side effects while taking the medicine
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. Most people don't experience serious problems. However, it's important to be aware of the possible side effects.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin irritation, itching, rash-like rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Mental changes | Feeling anxious, restless, depressed, suicidal thoughts, other unusual mental changes. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, sore throat. |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, muscle pain or weakness, difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine, unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme fatigue. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach discomfort | Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. |
| Other general characteristics | Headache , dizziness, insomnia. |
How do you store medicine?
- Keep away from children. This is very important.
- Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the medicine in the original bottle or packet it came in.
- Discard any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Raltegravir is a medicine that controls the HIV virus, not a medicine that cures it.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, on time. Don't skip any meals.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take (including vitamins and Ayurvedic medicines) and all medical conditions you have.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as severe skin rashes or mental changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medication, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. The most important thing is to be aware of your health.
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