Fuzeon (Enfuvirtide) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Fuzeon

HIV and AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs, Treatments and Medications »

Entry Inhibitors (including Fusion Inhibitors) and CCR5 Co-receptor Antagonist

Entry Inhibitors
Entry inhibitors block HIV entry into CD4+ cells.

Fusion inhibitors
The only drug in this class is T-20, which is administered as a twice daily subcutaneous injection. The most common side effect is redness and pain at the site of injection. Rarely, infection can occur at the injection site. There also are reports of generalized allergic reactions.

CCR5 antagonist
Although there were some early concerns of liver inflammation for drugs in this class, MVC appeared to be well tolerated in clinical trials without any specific toxicities attributable to the drug. However, it is a new drug in a new class and the first to actually target the cell. For these reasons, longer follow-up from clinical trials and those followed in the clinic will be very important for assessing the overall safety of the...

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Fuzeon Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using enfuvirtide (Fuzeon)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to enfuvirtide.

Before using enfuvirtide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use enfuvirtide.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while you are using enfuvirtide. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Enfuvirtide may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you have a high viral load, a history of lung disease, or if you smoke. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, fever, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.

How should I use enfuvirtide (Fuzeon)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use enfuvirtide in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Enfuvirtide is given as an injection under the skin of your arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Carefully follow all instructions about giving yourself an enfuvirtide injection. Most people using this medication have a skin reaction where the medicine is injected. Your caregivers can tell you what type of skin reactions are serious and when to call your doctor.

Enfuvirtide is usually injected twice a day. Each vial of enfuvirtide is for a single use only.

Enfuvirtide is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (sterile water) provided with the medicine. After mixing the powder and the liquid, gently tap the vial for 10 seconds and then slowly roll it between your hands. Let the vial stand until the powder completely dissolves (up to 45 minutes). If the mixture is foamy or gel-like, allow more time for it to dissolve.

Do not shake the mixture. Shaking will make the medicine foam and it will take much longer to dissolve. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

You may mix both of your day's doses at the same time, but once the medicine is mixed you must keep it in a refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.

When you are ready to use the medicine, take the vial out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. Inspect the mixture again for particles or change in color. Do not draw your enfuvirtide dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Then throw away the vial, even if there is medicine left in it.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not use enfuvirtide as your only HIV medication. HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. Your disease may become resistant to enfuvirtide if you do not use it in combination with other HIV medicines your doctor has prescribed.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

It is important to use enfuvirtide regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store unmixed enfuvirtide powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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