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Raltegravir

Isentress_pilules.png

Raltegravir is an antiretrovial drug from the relatively new integrase inhibitor class. It is the only integrase inhibitor currently approved for use in Australia.

Integrase inhibitors target an enzyme called integrase which HIV uses to integrate its genetic code into human cells. Because this is a different point of action to that targeted by other drug classesA group of anti-HIV drugs with the same target of action. Anti-HIV drug classes include nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, as well as several others. Combining drugs from three or more classes is the basis of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)., there is a good chance that people who have failed several prior treatment regimens will benefit from this drug, especially if it is combined with an optimised background regimen.

Generic name: raltegravir (RAL)
Pronunciation:ral-TEGG-ra-veer
Brand name:Isentress
Also known as:MK-0518 (former code name)
Drug class:integrase inhibitor
Availability in Australia:
  • Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) through S100 prescribers since 2008.
  • This drug may be available through clinical trials in Australia.
  • You may be able to import this drug from overseas for your personal use.
Presentation:400mg tablet
What the treatment guidelines say:

Raltegravir was approved for treatment as a first-line therapy in March 2010.

It is also a recommended option for people who experience antiretroviral treatment failure, especially for people who may have failed several prior regimens or who have few new treatment options remaining.

Links:

Like most anti-HIV drugs, raltegravir must be taken in combination with other drugs to be completely effective. Your doctor will advise you on the right combination of drugs to suit your circumstances.

Dosage

The usual adult dose is one 400mg tablet, taken twice a day.

Regardless of what you read on this website or elsewhere, you should always take your medications according to your doctor's instructions. If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

With or without food?

Raltegravir may be taken with or without food.

Side effects

All drugs can produce side effects in some people. These may be mild, moderate or severe, so you should be aware of potential side effects before starting any drug, and speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that concern you.

  • Common side effects may include nausea (upset stomach, feeling sick to the stomach), diarrhoea, headache..
  • Less common side effects may include fever, CPK elevation.
  • Rare side effects may include depression, abnormal liver function.

    • It's unlikely you will experience all of these side effects, and you may not experience any side effects at all. Before starting any new drug, ask your doctor about side effects you might experience and discuss strategies for dealing with side effects if they do occur. If you experience any significant side effect you should continue taking your medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with other drugs

Raltegravir is broken down via a different method than most drugs, and so there are very few serious interactions with other anti-HIV drugs. Some evidence does exist that, when taken with tenofovir and ritonavir, levels of raltegravir in the blood may be reduced. When combined with atazanavir and ritonavir, blood levels of raltegravir may be increased.
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Spotlight on Seattle

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 7 June 2012

The 19th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (Croi) was held in Seattle in march. Here are some important highlights. read more »

Once-daily raltegravir not as effective

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 25 February 2011
Treating HIV

Merck has terminated a trial comparing once-daily dosing against the currently recommended twice-daily dosing of raltegravir. read more »

Raltegravir approved for first line

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 3 September 2010
Treating HIV

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. (PBS) has broadened access to raltegravir (Isentress) beyond treatment-experienced adults.

Raltegravir is now also available for people who are first starting HIV treatment.

Raltegravir + Truvada is now one of four preferred commencing regimens in the Australian HIV Treatment Guidelines. read more »

News from IAS 2010

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 2 September 2010

Adrian Ogier gives a round up of treatments news from the Vienna Conference. read more »

Treatments news from the IAS Conference

Positive Living article • 20 August 2009
pregnancy and childbirth

A roundup of HIV treatments developments from the IAS Conference in Cape Town. read more »

Treatment news from CROI

Positive Living article • John Daye • 13 March 2009

John Daye reports on treatments developments from the 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Montréal, Canada. read more »

New HIV treatments welcome

Media release • 1 December 2008

The listing of two new HIV treatment options on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. (PBS) is good news for people living with HIV, the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWHA) has said. read more »

AIDS 2008: Is the HIV drug pipeline drying up?

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 24 September 2008

The International AIDS Conference heard promising reports about the newer HIV treatments designed to help treat people with advanced and drug-resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant. HIV, all of which are now available in Australia. read more »

IAS 2007: Promising signs

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 15 October 2007

A major HIV/AIDS medical conference in Sydney has generated lots of news on the treatments front, reports Paul Kidd. read more »

CROI 2007: A great leap forward

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 22 March 2007

A major scientific conference on HIV has wound up with promising news on treatments which could signal a significant improvement in HIV treatment for the first time in some years. read more »

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The table below shows all the clinical trials in the database with the keyword raltegravir.

Short titleStatus
ROaR+ Enrolling
TROP - low bone mineral density No longer enrolling
SPARTA Reported
Second line Fully enrolled
MK0518 (raltegravir) versus Kaletra - studies A and B No longer enrolling
PINT (including raltegravir) Fully enrolled
Merck Integrase Inhibitor Study (raltegravir) Reported
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This Treatments database entry was first published on 3 June 2009 — more than three years ago.

While the content of this treatments database entry was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWHA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

This article may contain medical information. NAPWHA makes every reasonable effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate, reliable and up-to-date, including obtaining technical reviews by medically-qualified reviewers, however the authors of information on this website are not qualified to give medical advice, except where explicitly stated.

The content of this website is intended to support, not replace, the relationship between people living with HIV/AIDS and their medical advisers, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

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