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A statement to patients and healthcare providers is included on the product's bottle label: ALERT: Find out about medicines that should NOT be taken with RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) . A patient package insert (PPI) for RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) is available for patient information.

Patients should be informed that RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) is not a cure for HIV-1 infection and that they may continue to acquire illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. Treatment with RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) has not been shown to reduce the incidence or frequency of such illnesses, and patients should be advised to remain under the care of a physician when using RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) .

Patients should be advised that the use of RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) has not been shown to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV-1.

Patients should be instructed that the major toxicity of RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) is rash and should be advised to promptly notify their physician should rash occur. The majority of rashes associated with RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) occur within 1 to 3 weeks after initiating treatment with RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) . The rash normally resolves in 3 to 14 days and may be treated symptomatically while therapy with RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) is continued. Any patient experiencing severe rash or rash accompanied by symptoms such as fever, blistering, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, swelling, and muscle or joint aches should discontinue medication and consult a physician.

Patients should be informed that redistribution or accumulation of body fat may occur in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and that the cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time.

Patients should be informed to take RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) every day as prescribed. Patients should not alter the dose of RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) without consulting their doctor. If a dose is missed, patients should take the next dose as soon as possible. However, if a dose is skipped, the patient should not double the next dose.

Patients with achlorhydria should take RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) with an acidic beverage (e.g., orange or cranberry juice). However, the effect of an acidic beverage on the absorption of delavirdine in patients with achlorhydria has not been investigated. Patients taking both RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) and antacids should be advised to take them at least 1 hour apart.

Because RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) may interact with certain drugs, patients should be advised to report to their doctor the use of any prescription, nonprescription medication or herbal products, particularly St. John's wort.

Patients receiving sildenafil and RESCRIPTOR (delavirdine mesylate) should be advised that they may be at an increased risk of sildenafil-associated adverse events, including hypotension, visual changes, and prolonged penile erection, and should promptly report any symptoms to their doctor.

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/25/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.