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IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

DELAVIRDINE 100 MG DISPERSIBLE TABLET - ORAL

(deh-LAV-er-deen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Rescriptor

USES: Delavirdine helps control your HIV infection, thereby improving your quality of life. It is used in combination with at least 2 other anti-HIV medications. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body so your immune system can work better. It also lowers your risk of getting HIV disease complications (such as new infections, cancer). Delavirdine belongs to a class of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).

Delavirdine is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact or blood contamination (such as sharing used needles).

HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking delavirdine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. If you cannot swallow the tablets whole, you may dissolve your dose of the 100-milligram tablets in at least 3 ounces (90 milliliters) of water. Let the tablets sit for a few minutes, then stir and drink the mixture right away. Rinse the glass with more water and drink the rinse water to make sure that you have taken the entire dose. Note that the 200-milligram tablets cannot be dissolved and must be swallowed whole.

If you have a condition of little or no stomach acid (achlorhydria), you should take delavirdine with an acidic beverage such as orange or cranberry juice.

If you are also taking an antacid or a buffered form of the medication didanosine, take it at least 1 hour before or after delavirdine.

If you are taking HIV medications for the first time, you may experience symptoms of an old infection as your immune system begins to work better. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any trouble breathing, fever, new cough, vision problems, headaches, or skin problems.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often than prescribed, or stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of virus to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.

This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.