Brand names: Fuzeon®
Chemical formula:
- Drug Forms:
- Enfuvirtide injection (below)
- Enfuvirtide Solution for injection
Enfuvirtide injection
What is Enfuvirtide injection?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• cigarette smoker
• lung disease or breathing difficulties
• use IV drugs
• an unusual reaction to Enfuvirtide, mannitol, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should this medicine be used?
Enfuvirtide is for injection under the skin. You will be giving yourself 2 injections of enfuvirtide every day. Your health care provider will give you instructions and show you and/or your caregiver how to give this medicine. Make sure that you and your caregiver understand how to prepare and inject the dose. Use twice daily exactly as directed. Rotate your injection site so that each site is not used more than once every 1—2 months. Do not give an injection into any are of skin that has an active injection site reaction. Do not use more enfuvirtide than prescribed. Do not use more or less often than prescribed. If you or your caregiver have any questions about how to give this medicine, call your health care provider before giving the medicine.
Make sure you get a puncture-resistant container to take home for throwing away the used syringes and needles. Do not reuse any needles or syringes.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with Enfuvirtide?
No interactions have been found.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking Enfuvirtide?
Taking enfuvirtide does not reduce the risk of passing HIV infection to others through sexual or blood contact. It is best to avoid sexual contact so that you do not spread the disease to others. For any sexual contact, use a condom. Be careful about cuts, abrasions and other possible sources of blood contact. Never share a needle or syringe with anyone.
Skin reactions where you inject enfuvirtide are common during treatment. The injection site reactions are usually mild to moderate, but can be severe. Injection site reactions usually happen within the first week of using enfuvirtide and usually continue to happen as you keep using enfuvirtide. The reactions usually do not last longer than 7 days. The reactions may be worse when injections are given in the same place on the body or when the injection is given deeper than it should be (for example, into the muscle).
What side effects may I notice from receiving Enfuvirtide?
Enfuvirtide causes injection site reactions in almost every person who uses it. Reactions are usually mild to moderate, but they can be severe. Reactions on the skin where enfuvirtide is injected include:
• bumps
• hardened skin
• itching
• pain or tenderness
• swelling
• redness
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• an injections site reaction (see above) that is severe, infected, or in any way worrisome to you
• signs of infection - such as fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing
• signs of allergic reaction including: difficulty breathing, fever with vomiting and skin rash, blood in the urine, swelling of the feet
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• decreased appetite
• depression
• inability to sleep
• muscle pain
• pain or numbness in the feet or legs
• weakness or loss of strength
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store vials of enfuvirtide that have not been mixed with sterile water at room temperature, 15—30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F). Enfuvirtide can also be stored in a refrigerator 2—8 degrees C (36—46 degrees F); do not freeze. After enfuvirtide has been mixed with sterile water, the vial should be stored in a refrigerator at 2—8 degrees C (36—46 degrees F) for up to 24 hours. Return individual vials to room temperature before use. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Do not inject the solution if it is not clear or if there are particles present. Return it to the pharmacy. Use the solution within 24 hours of dissolving the enfuvirtide powder with the sterile water. If you have not used the mixed medicine within 24 hours, throw it away.
Store needles and syringes out of the reach of children. Make sure you receive a puncture-resistant container to dispose of the needles and syringes once you have finished with them. Do not reuse these items. Return the container to your prescriber or health care professional for proper disposal.
Last updated: 9/30/2002 3:40:00 PM
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
