Selzentry (Maraviroc)

Brand name: Selzentry, Celsentri
Generic name: Maraviroc
Used for: Treat HIV infection in adults
Availability: Brand Selzentry (ViiV Healthcare) 150mg, 300mg

How Maraviroc Works

Maraviroc is the active ingredient in Selzentry; Selzentry is an oral tablet used for the treatment of HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1) infection in adults, in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Selzentry is a type of anti-HIV drug called a CCR5 antagonist. Selzentry can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (called “viral load”) and increase the number of CD4 (T) cells. This may keep your immune system healthy, so it can help fight infection. Selzentry works by blocking a receptor called CCR5 that a type of HIV uses to enter cells in your blood called CD4 or T-cells. This virus type is called CCR5- tropic HIV. Selzentry can be taken with or without food. Selzentry comes in a tablet form and should be swallowed with plenty of liquid (water). Do not chew the tablets.

Maraviroc Possible Side Effects

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience side effects and they are severe and bothersome. Most of the side effect are manageable and may go away on their own.
• Abdominal pain;
• Auto immune disorders;
• Breathing abnormalities;
• Cough, fever;
• Constipation;
• Dizziness;
• Difficulty sleeping;
• Diarrhea;
• Headache;
• Itching;
• Muscle-related symptoms (such as muscle pain, aches or soreness);
• Nausea;
• Possible chance of infection;
• Rash;
• Upper respiratory tract infections

Maraviroc Guidelines

Do not use Selzentry if you are allergic to maraviroc or any of the other ingredients of Selzentry. Selzentry is not recommended for use in children. Before you use Selzentry talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have liver problems or are infected with Hepatitis B and/or Hepatitis C; have a history of low blood pressure or low blood pressure on standing (postural hypotension) and/or if you are taking any medication to lower blood pressure; have heart disease; have a history of any kidney problems; are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant while taking Selzentry; are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed if you are HIV-positive because of the chance of passing HIV to your baby. Also, it is not known if Selzentry can pass into your breast milk and if it can harm your baby. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby. If you experience dizziness or fainting while taking Selzentry, do not drive or operate heavy machinery. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start or stop any other medications without your doctor or pharmacist’s approval. Tell your doctor if you are taking fluconazole.

The following medications are known to interact or may interact with Selzentry and your doctor may adjust the dosage of Selzentry:
• Atazanavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, etravirine, lopinavir/ritonavir, saquinavir, saquinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir and other anti-HIV combinations;
• Anticonvulsant medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin);
• Clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, rifampin;
• Delavirdine;
• St. John's wort (hypericum perforatum) should not be used as it may reduce the amount of selzentry in the blood and reduce the effectiveness of this medication.