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Home > Drug Category > AIDS Medications, HIV Treatments > Pifeltro and Equivalent

Pifeltro Information

Pifeltro (Doravirine) is an antiretroviral medicine used alone or with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus- 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults who have not previously received HIV treatment or whose viral load is already controlled on another regimen with no history of treatment failure or drug resistance. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that gradually weakens a person's immune system by attacking its key cells, which can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a severe and life-threatening stage of weakened immune response. Its active ingredient is doravirine, and it belongs to a class of drugs called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Doravirine works by binding to the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, blocking it from converting viral RNA into DNA, a step essential for the virus to multiply in the body. By doing so, it not only helps in reducing the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load) but also ultimately supports immune system function and lowers the risk of HIV-related complications. However, it does not cure the infection.

Pifeltro Side Effects

Some mild side effects of this medication include diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, nausea, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, vomiting, and weakness. Contact your doctor if these mild side effects persist or worsen. Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat;
• Depression;
• Fever, chill, rigor, cough, body rash, and other symptoms of immune system changes;
• Skin rash, including blisters

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Pifeltro Precautions

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to doravirine, the inactive ingredients in Pifeltro, or any other medicine. Before using this medication, ensure you inform your doctor about any medical conditions you previously or currently have, including the following:
• Autoimmune disorders such as Graves' disease, polymyositis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome;
• Diabetes;
• High blood cholesterol levels

Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medication until you know how it affects you, as Pifeltro can cause dizziness and drowsiness. This medication should not be used in children younger than 12 years or weighing less than 35 kg. Consult your doctor before using this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Kindly note that breastfeeding is generally not recommended in women with HIV as the infection can be passed to the baby through breast milk. This antiretroviral medication may interact with other drugs or substances, such as anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin and carbamazepine), mitotane, enzalutamide, lumacaftor, and rifabutin. Therefore, inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines, including herbal supplements, that you are taking before using Pifeltro to prevent potential drug interactions.

Please consult your doctor for the appropriate dose, as it may vary depending on various factors. The generally recommended dose is 100 mg orally, once daily. Take each dose of this medication by mouth with or without food. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor first. Do not use more than the prescribed dose to compensate for a missed dose. Ensure to read the leaflet in the pack carefully for more details on the use of this medication. Store this medication at room temperature, keeping it away from sunlight, moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Pifeltro?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Pifeltro.