Selzentry (maraviroc) is a relative newcomer to the treatment of AIDS and HIV, having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients in 2007. It is a powerful alternative for people whose HIV strain(s) show a stubborn resistance to other drug treatment options.
Instructions
Treat HIV and AIDS With Selzentry
1. Use an entry-level regimen of NNRTIs, NRTIs and protease inhibitors if you are first beginning treatment of HIV or AIDS. Selzentry is only used in patients whose HIV resists these treatments.
2. Draw up a list of all medicines you use, the accompanying dosages and the frequency with which you take them. Bring the list to your doctor, so your doctor can use it to cross-reference any of Selzentry's many drug interactions.
3. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, nursing or planning to nurse or engage in sexual behavior that may result in you becoming pregnant. Be aware that no conclusive data has been found regarding Selzentry and pregnant women.
4. Ask about and understand the side effects you'll face if you use Selzentry to treat HIV or AIDS. The standard set of mild side effects seen with many HIV/AIDS medicines--dizziness, sore throat, rash, upset stomach, malaise, fever--commonly manifest in Selzentry users.
5. Beware of more serious side effects. Toxic damage to the liver has been observed and is thought to be at least indirectly related to Selzentry use. Patients using Selzentry in clinical trials also seemed more predisposed to having cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks.
6. Take Selzentry as directed by your doctor. Most patients take dosages twice daily. The strength of the dosage will depend on what other medicines you're taking for HIV, AIDS or unrelated conditions.
7. Speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that persist or seem severe. If this continues, your doctor may decide to explore other strategies for HIV/AIDS treatment.
Tags: your doctor, side effects, treatment AIDS