What is Maraviroc?

Maraviroc is an antiviral medication that prevents certain viral cells from multiplying in your body.
Maraviroc is used together with other medications. to treat CCR5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1.
Maraviroc is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.
Maraviroc may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Maraviroc?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease (especially hepatitis B or C), heart disease, low blood pressure, any type of allergy, circulation problems, or if you have ever had a stroke.
There are many other medicines that can interact with maraviroc. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. Maraviroc must be given in combination with other antiviral medications. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Taking maraviroc will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Maraviroc?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• kidney disease
• liver disease, especially hepatitis B or C
• heart disease
• low blood pressure
• any type of allergy
• circulation problems; or
• if you have ever had a stroke

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant.
Your name may need to be listed on an antiviral pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while using this medication. The purpose of this registry is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and delivery to evaluate whether maraviroc had any effect on the baby.
You should not breast-feed while you are using maraviroc. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Maraviroc Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Maraviroc?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using maraviroc and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, skin rash, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• chest pain
• feeling like you might pass out
• sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere in your body
• cold sores, sores on your genital or anal area
• signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms

Less serious side effects may include:

• swelling
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
• problems with urination
• runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
• stomach pain, diarrhea
• muscle or joint pain
• dizziness; or
• mild skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Maraviroc Interactions

What other drugs affect Maraviroc?

The following drugs can interact with maraviroc. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• nefazodone
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• St. John’s wort
• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenobarbital (Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin)
• HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), didanosine (Videx), efavirenz (Sustiva), emtricitabine (Emtriva), enfuvirtide (Fuzeon), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lamivudine (Epivir, Combivir, Trizivir), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), stavudine (Zerit), tipranavir (Aptivus), zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or telithromycin (Ketek)
• an antifungal medication such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox); or
• heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with maraviroc. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Maraviroc?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid having unprotected sex or sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Maraviroc Dosage

How should I take Maraviroc?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take maraviroc with or without food. Maraviroc is usually taken twice per day. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Do not crush, chew, or break the maraviroc tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
It is important to use maraviroc regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. Maraviroc must be given in combination with other antiviral medications and it should not be used alone. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.
Store maraviroc at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Maraviroc?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling like you might pass out.

What happens if I miss a dose of Maraviroc?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If you are more than 6 hours late in taking your maraviroc, skip the missed dose and take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com