This drug is used with other HIV medications to help
control HIV infection. It helps to decrease the amount of HIV in your body
so your immune system can work better. This lowers your chance of getting
HIV complications (such as new infections, cancer) and improves your
quality of life. Doravirine belongs to a class of drugs known as
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).
Doravirine is not a cure for HIV infection. To decrease
your risk of spreading HIV disease to others, continue to take all HIV
medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Use an effective barrier
method (latex or polyurethane condoms/dental dams) during sexual activity
as directed by your doctor. Do not share personal items (such as
needles/syringes, toothbrushes, and razors) that may have contacted blood
or other body fluids. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more
details.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking doravirine and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The dosage is based on your
medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be
taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the drugs you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal
products).
It is very important to keep taking this medication (and
other HIV medications) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip
any doses.
For the best effect, take this medication at evenly
spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time
every day.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed or
stop taking it (or other HIV medicines) even for a short time unless
directed to do so by your doctor. Doing so may cause the amount of virus to
increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen
side effects.
Nausea, headache, tiredness, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
dizziness, or unusual dreams may occur. If any of these effects last or get
worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
As your immune system gets stronger, it can begin to
fight off infections you already had, possibly causing disease symptoms to
come back. You could also have symptoms if your immune system becomes
overactive. This reaction may happen at any time (soon after starting HIV
treatment or many months later). Get medical help right away if you have
any serious symptoms, including:
- unexplained weight loss
- severe tiredness
- muscle aches/weakness that doesn't go away
- headaches that are severe or don't go away
- joint pain
- numbness/tingling of the hands/feet/arms/legs
- vision changes
- signs of infection (such as fever, chills, swollen lymph
nodes, trouble breathing, cough, non-healing skin sores)
- signs of an overactive thyroid (such as irritability,
nervousness, heat intolerance, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, bulging
eyes, unusual growth in the neck/thyroid known as a goiter)
- signs of a certain nerve problem known as Guillain-Barre
syndrome (such as unsteadiness, loss of coordination, trouble
swallowing/speaking/chewing, trouble moving your eyes)
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark
urine)
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- mental/mood changes (such as depression, rare thoughts of
suicide, strange thoughts, anxiety)
Changes in body fat may occur while you are taking this
medication (such as increased fat in the upper back and stomach areas,
decreased fat in the arms and legs). The cause and long-term effects of
these changes are unknown. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with
your doctor, as well as the possible use of exercise to reduce this side
effect.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking doravirine, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver problems (such as hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis)
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Treatment can lower the risk of passing HIV infection
to your baby, and doravirine may be part of that treatment. Discuss the
risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast
milk. Because breast milk may transmit HIV, consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of doravirine
from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include
apalutamide, butalbital, enzalutamide, mitotane, rifampin, secobarbital,
St. John's wort, some drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine,
phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as viral load, T-cell
counts) should be done before you start taking this medication and while
you are taking it. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your
doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store in the original bottle at room temperature away
from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep the drying
agent (desiccant) in the bottle. Tightly close the bottle when not in use.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.