What Is Raltegravir Used For?

Raltegravir is used for the treatment of HIV and AIDS in adults. Although the drug is not a cure for HIV or AIDS, it can help prevent the HIV virus from multiplying by inhibiting an enzyme called integrase. Raltegravir may be useful for people who have not had success with other types of HIV medications. Currently, there are no off-label raltegravir uses.

 

What Is Raltegravir Used For? -- An Overview

Raltegravir (Isentress™) is a prescription medication used to treat HIV and AIDS. It is the first of a group of medications known as integrase inhibitors. Raltegravir may be helpful for many people, especially those who have developed HIV infections that are resistant to other types of HIV medications.
 
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was initially reported in the United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a significant worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Initially, an HIV infection does not usually cause any obvious symptoms (see HIV Symptoms). However, by killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV will eventually begin to progressively destroy the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers (see AIDS Symptoms).
 
HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. Transmission also happens through contact with infected blood, which frequently occurs among IV drug users (who share needles or syringes contaminated with blood from someone infected with the virus). Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
 
Raltegravir is usually reserved for people who have tried other HIV medications without success and who are, therefore, likely to be resistant to other HIV medications. Raltegravir is not intended to be used alone. Instead, it is used as part of an HIV "cocktail." These cocktails usually consist of three or four different HIV medications (technically known as highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART). Using a combination of medications helps to prevent the virus from becoming resistant to one or more of the drugs.
 
(What Is Raltegravir Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;