Type of medicine: non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; antiretroviral; anti-HIV
Generic and brand names: delavirdine mesylate, oral; Rescriptor
This medicine is taken by mouth along with other medicines to treat HIV infection. This medicine must be taken with other anti-HIV medicines to keep from developing resistant strains of HIV.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Taking this medicine with certain other medicines may be life-threatening. Tell your provider about ALL of the medicines and natural remedies you take.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not change your dosage on your own. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not run out of this medicine. If you are not sure of how much and how often to take this medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain.
Take this medicine with other medicines your healthcare provider prescribes. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly.
You may take this medicine with or without food. If you have a condition called achlorhydria (lack of acid in the stomach), take this medicine with orange or cranberry juice.
Some tablets must be swallowed whole. Other tablets should be dissolved in water. Ask your pharmacist for instructions. Make sure you understand how to take your medicine.
If you are taking an antacid such as Maalox, take this medicine and the antacid 1Â hour apart.
Do not miss any doses. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
This medicine is not a cure for HIV infection. You may continue to get illnesses associated with advanced HIV infection, including other infections. There is no evidence that this medicine will reduce the risk of spreading HIV through sexual contact or blood contamination.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
You may develop a rash. This usually goes away without any change in treatment. Occasionally, the rash becomes serious. Report any rash to your healthcare provider right away, especially if it lasts for more than 2Â days.
Your body fat may change as a result of taking this medicine. Your legs and arms may be thin but your chest, belly, back, and neck may have more fat. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
This medicine may cause immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS). As the immune system gets stronger, the body's responses to diseases such as pneumonia or tuberculosis may also get stronger. Talk with your provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these your healthcare provider right away): Severe rash or a rash along with fever, blistering, red eyes, sores in your mouth, swelling, muscle or joint aches, extreme weakness, severe nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements, yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, trouble sleeping, nervousness, numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
