Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. When your supply of this medicine is running low, contact your doctor or pharmacist ahead of time. Do not allow yourself to run out of this medicine.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Read it again each time you refill your prescription in case there is new information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Keep using raltegravir for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. It is also important to take this medicine together with other medicines for HIV. Be sure to take all of the medicines your doctor ordered at the right times.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

You may chew or swallow the chewable tablets whole. However, the film-coated tablets must be swallowed whole.

If you have trouble chewing the 25-mg chewable tablet:

  • Place the tablet in a clean cup and add 5 milliliters (ml) of liquid (including water, juice, or breast milk).
  • Use a spoon to crush any remaining tablet and take the medicine right away.
  • You may add another 5 ml of liquid if any part of the medicine is left in the cup, mix and drink right away.

If you are using the oral suspension:

  • Pour the contents of one single-use packet in 10 milliliters (mL) of water and mix by swirling the mixing cup carefully and slowly in a circle for 45 seconds. Do not shake the cup.
  • Use the dosing syringe that comes with the package to measure the right dose.
  • The dose should be taken within 30 minutes after mixing the suspension.
  • Throw away any remaining suspension.

Do not substitute the chewable tablets or oral suspension with the film-coated tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For treatment of HIV infection (patient already had HIV treatment):
    • For oral dosage form (Isentress® film-coated tablets):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) two times a day. For patients who are also taking rifampin, the dose is usually 800 mg (two 400 mg tablets) two times a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For treatment of HIV infection (patient never had HIV treatment):
    • For oral dosage form (chewable tablets):
      • Children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—300 milligrams (mg) (three 100 mg tablets) two times a day.
      • Children weighing less than 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
        • Weighing 28 to less than 40 kg—The dose is usually 200 mg (two 100 mg tablets) two times a day.
        • Weighing 25 to less than 28 kg—The dose is usually 150 mg (one and a half 100 mg tablets) two times a day.
      • Children 4 weeks of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
        • Weighing 20 to less than 25 kg—The dose is usually 150 mg (one and a half 100 mg tablets) two times a day.
        • Weighing 14 to less than 20 kg—The dose is usually 100 mg two times a day.
        • Weighing 10 to less than 14 kg—The dose is usually 75 mg (three 25 mg tablets) two times a day.
        • Children 4 weeks of age and older and weighing less than 110 kg—Use of oral suspension is recommended.
      • Children younger than 4 weeks of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (Isentress® film-coated tablets):
      • Adults—400 milligrams (mg) two times a day. For patients who are also taking rifampin, the dose is usually 800 mg (two 400 mg tablets) two times a day.
      • Children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—400 mg two times a day.
      • Children weighing 25 kg or more and can swallow the tablet—400 mg two times a day.
      • Children weighing less than 25 kg and unable to swallow the tablet—Use of chewable tablets are recommended.
      • Children 4 weeks of age and older and weighing less than 11 kg—Use of oral suspension is recommended.
      • Children younger than 4 weeks of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (Isentress HD® film-coated tablets):
      • Adults—1200 milligrams (mg) (two 600 mg tablets) once a day.
      • Children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—1200 mg (two 600 mg tablets) once a day.
      • Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (suspension):
      • Children 4 weeks of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
        • Weighing 14 to less than 20 kilograms (kg)—The dose is usually 10 milliliters (mL) (100 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 10 to less than 14 kg—The dose is usually 8 mL (80 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 8 to less than 10 kg—The dose is usually 6 mL (60 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 6 to less than 8 kg—The dose is usually 4 mL (40 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 4 to less than 6 kg—The dose is usually 3 mL (30 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 3 to less than 4 kg—The dose is usually 2.5 mL (25 mg) two times a day.
      • Children 1 to 4 weeks of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
        • Weighing 4 to less than 5 kg—The dose is usually 1.5 mL (15 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 3 to less than 4 kg—The dose is usually 1 mL (10 mg) two times a day.
        • Weighing 2 to less than 3 kg—The dose is usually 0.8 mL (8 mg) two times a day.
      • Children younger than 1 week of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor:
        • Weighing 4 to less than 5 kg—The dose is usually 0.7 mL (7 mg) once a day.
        • Weighing 3 to less than 4 kg—The dose is usually 0.5 mL (5 mg) once a day.
        • Weighing 2 to less than 3 kg—The dose is usually 0.4 mL (4 mg) once a day.
      • Children weighing less than 2 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the chewable tablets and film-coated tablets in its original package with the bottle tightly closed. Do not open the foil packet of the powder for suspension until you are ready to use it.