Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the stomach, upper arm, or thighs. You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject this medicine at home. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

If you use this medicine at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject into skin areas near your elbow, knee, groin, lower or inner buttocks, into your navel (belly button), or into any skin areas where you have a mole, scar, bruise, tattoo, or burn.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Do not 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 as a powder that must be mixed with sterile water before using. Use only the sterile water that came with your medicine to prepare it. Do not shake the medicine after adding the water. Gently tap the vial for 10 seconds and then roll it between your hands to avoid foaming. Wait for the powdered medicine to completely dissolve in the water before using it. This may take up to 45 minutes. Before using the medicine, make sure the solution is clear, colorless, has no bubbles or particles in it.

It is important to take enfuvirtide as part of a combination treatment. Be sure to take all the medicines your doctor has prescribed for you, including enfuvirtide.

Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better. If you stop the medicine even briefly, the virus may become harder to treat.

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 injection dosage form (solution):
    • For treatment of HIV infection:
      • Adults—90 milligrams (mg) (1 milliliter [mL]) injected under the skin 2 times a day.
      • Children 6 years of age and older—Dose is based on weight and must be determined by your doctor.
        • Weighing 42.6 kilograms (kg) or more—90 milligrams (mg) (1 milliliter [mL]) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 38.1 to 42.5 kg—81 mg (0.9 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 33.6 to 38.0 kg—72 mg (0.8 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 29.1 to 33.5 kg—63 mg (0.7 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 24.6 to 29.0 kg—54 mg (0.6 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 20.1 to 24.5 kg—45 mg (0.5 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 15.6 to 20.0 kg—36 mg (0.4 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
        • Weighing 11.0 to 15.5 kg—27 mg (0.3 mL) injected under than skin 2 times a day.
      • Children younger than 6 years of age and weighing less than 11 kilograms (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.

After you mix the powder with the sterile water, you may use the mixture right away or store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not store the mixture in the syringe. If you use a mixture that has been kept in the refrigerator, allow it to reach room temperature before you inject it.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container where the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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