Isentress (raltegravir potassium)

Antiviral-HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Oral Powder In Packet (Ea); Oral Tablet; Oral Tablet,Chewable

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Raltegravir potassium, an antiretroviral agent, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI).

Raltegravir potassium, an antiretroviral agent, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI). Raltegravir inhibits the activity of HIV integrase, an enzyme that integrates HIV DNA into the host cell genome. Integration is required for maintenance of the viral genome and for efficient viral gene expression and replication.

Inhibition of integration prevents propagation of viral infection. Raltegravir is active against HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and also has some in vitro activity against HIV type 2 (HIV- 2).

Raltegravir-resistant HIV-1 have been produced in vitro and have emerged during raltegravir therapy. Amino acid substitutions in HIV-1 integrase conferring resistance to raltegravir generally also confer resistance to elvitegravir. Substitutions at amino acid Y143 confer greater reductions in susceptibility to raltegravir than to elvitegravir, and the E92Q substitution confers greater reductions in susceptibility to elvitegravir than to raltegravir.

Viruses harboring a substitution at amino acid Q148, along with one or more other raltegravir resistance substitutions, may also have clinically significant resistance to dolutegravir.

Following oral administration of 400 mg of raltegravir as film-coated tablets in fasting adults, peak plasma concentrations of the drug are attained approximately 3 hours after dosing. Following oral administration of raltegravir in a dosage of 1.2 g once daily (two 600-mg film-coated tablets once daily) in fasting individuals, peak plasma concentrations of the drug are attained approximately 1.5-2 hours after a dose. Although absolute bioavailability of raltegravir has not been established, oral bioavailability is higher with raltegravir chewable tablets or oral suspension compared with the 400-mg film-coated tablets and oral bioavailability of raltegravir 600-mg film-coated tablets is higher than that of the 400-mg film-coated tablets.

When raltegravir film-coated tablets are used, steady state is attained in 2 days with the twice-daily regimen (400 mg twice daily) or the once- daily regimen (1.2 g once daily), with little or no accumulation with multiple doses. Studies using the 400- or 600-mg film-coated tablets and the chewable tablets indicate that food affects peak plasma concentrations and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of raltegravir; however, all formulations of the drug may be administered with or without food. Raltegravir is approximately 83% bound to plasma protein.

Raltegravir is metabolized primarily by uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1. Following an oral dose of raltegravir, approximately 51% of the dose is eliminated in feces (as raltegravir) and 32% is eliminated in urine (as raltegravir and raltegravir glucuronide). Raltegravir has an apparent terminal half-life of approximately 9 hours.

Raltegravir is metabolized primarily by UGT1A. However, common UGT1A1 polymorphisms do not appear to alter the pharmacokinetics of raltegravir to any clinically important extent.

In one study in adults, the AUC of raltegravir in those with UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype (associated with reduced activity of UGT1A1) was compared to the AUC of the drug in those with wild-type UGT1A1 genotype and the geometric mean AUC ratio was 1.41.

In a neonatal clinical trial (IMPAACT P1110), there was no association between apparent clearance of raltegravir and UGT1A1 polymorphisms. Dosage recommendations for raltegravir in neonates younger than 4 weeks of age take into consideration the rapidly increasing UGT1A1 activity and drug clearance that occurs from birth to 4 weeks of age; UGT1A1 catalytic activity is negligible at birth and matures after birth.

USES: This formulation of raltegravir is used with other HIV medications for infants and children to help control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in the body so your child's immune system can work better. This lowers the chance of getting HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your child's quality of life.

Raltegravir belongs to a class of drugs known as integrase inhibitors. It blocks the virus from growing and infecting more cells. Raltegravir is not a cure for HIV infection.

To decrease the risk of spreading HIV disease to others, your child should continue to take all HIV medications exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not share your child's personal items (such as needles/syringes, toothbrushes) that may have contacted blood or other body fluids. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Generic name: raltegravir potassium
Pronunciation: (ral-TEG-ra-vir)
Drug class: Antiviral-HIV-1 Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Isentress:

  • Hiv Infection

Also known as: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Dosing

Raltegravir chewable tablets, film-coated tablets, and powder for oral suspension contain raltegravir potassium; dosage is expressed in terms of raltegravir.

Because the formulations have different pharmacokinetic profiles, raltegravir chewable tablets and oral suspension are not bioequivalent to raltegravir film-coated tablets. Do not substitute the chewable tablets or oral suspension for the 400- or 600-mg film-coated tablets.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

*None.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in 2% or more of patients receiving raltegravir in conjunction with other antiretrovirals include insomnia, headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Creatine kinase elevations, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis have been reported.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
HIV infection
B20ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease
B97.35ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus, type 2 [HIV 2] as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere
O98.7ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
O98.71ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy
O98.711ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, first trimester
O98.712ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, second trimester
O98.713ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, third trimester
O98.719ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating pregnancy, unspecified trimester
O98.72ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating childbirth
O98.73ICD10CMHuman immunodeficiency virus [HIv] disease complicating the puerperium
Z21ICD10CMAsymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus [HIv] infection status

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data