Side Effects of Enfuvirtide (Cont.)

Common Side Effects of Enfuvirtide

Clinical studies have not evaluated enfuvirtide alone for the treatment of HIV, as it is meant to be used along with other HIV medications. In fact, the available information on possible side effects involves studies that used enfuvirtide plus other HIV medications. Therefore, it is difficult to know if these side effects are due to enfuvirtide or the other HIV medications. In these studies, the most common side effects of enfuvirtide (plus other HIV medications) included:
 
  • Injection site pain -- in up to 96 percent of people
  • Redness at the injection site -- up to 91 percent
  • Temporary hardening of the skin at the injection site -- up to 90 percent
  • A lump at the injection site -- up to 80 percent
  • Itching at the injection site -- up to 65 percent
  • Bruising at the injection site -- up to 52 percent.
     
Other common side effects (occurring in 2 to 8 percent of people) included:
 
  • Weight loss
  • Sinus infections
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Coughing
  • Genital or oral herpes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Arm or leg pain
  • Muscle pain
  • Flu symptoms (such as fever, chills, or body aches)
  • Infection of the hair follicles (known as folliculitis)
  • Dry mouth
  • Conjunctivitis ("pink eye").
 

Less Common Side Effects of Enfuvirtide

Rare enfuvirtide side effects occurred in at least one person taking the drug. However, it is not known if enfuvirtide is the actual cause of these symptoms, because it is difficult to tell whether enfuvirtide or something else causes the side effects.
 
These less common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • High blood sugar
  • Changes in taste
  • Unusual sensations (like burning, tingling, or numbness) in the hands or feet
  • Weakness
  • High triglycerides
  • Insomnia.
     
(Side Effects of Enfuvirtide Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;