Vitekta

Generic name: elvitegravir
Drug class: Integrase strand transfer inhibitor

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is Vitekta?

Vitekta is a prescription medicine that is used to treat HIV infection.

Description

VITEKTA (elvitegravir) is a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase strand transfer inhibitor.

The chemical name of elvitegravir is 6-(3-Chloro-2-fluorobenzyl)-1-[(2S)-1-hydroxy-3methylbutan-2-yl]-7-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid. It has a molecular formula of C₂₃H₂₃ClFNO₅ and a molecular weight of 447.9. It has the following structural formula:

Elvitegravir is a white-to-pale yellow solid with a solubility of less than 0.3 mcg/mL in water at 20 °C.

VITEKTA tablets are for oral administration and contain 85 mg or 150 mg of elvitegravir. The 85 mg and the 150 mg tablets each include the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose monohydrate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. The tablets are film-coated with a coating material containing polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, talc, indigo carmine, FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake, and iron oxide yellow.

Before taking Vitekta, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Vitekta; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you are taking cobicistat and you are also taking certain other drugs to treat HIV. There are many drugs that are not to be taken if you are taking Vitekta along with cobicistat. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Boceprevir, carbamazepine, efavirenz, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, rifapentine, or St. John’s wort.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Vitekta.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Vitekta with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Vitekta?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Vitekta. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• This medicine interacts with many other drugs. The chance of Vitekta’s side effects may be raised or how well Vitekta works may be lowered. The chance of the other drugs’ side effects may also be raised. This may include very bad, life-threatening, or deadly side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure that it is safe for you to take Vitekta with all of your other drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins).
• This medicine is not a cure for HIV. Stay under the care of your doctor.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking Vitekta.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Vitekta while you are pregnant.

How is Vitekta best taken?

Use Vitekta as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take Vitekta with food.
• If you are also taking didanosine, take it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after Vitekta.
• Do not take antacids within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Vitekta.
• Keep taking Vitekta as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• It is important that you do not miss or skip a dose of Vitekta during treatment.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, call your doctor.

What are the side effects of Vitekta that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Changes in your immune system can happen when you start taking drugs to treat HIV. If you have an infection that you did not know you had, it may show up when you take Vitekta. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new signs after you start Vitekta, even after taking it for several months. This includes signs of infection like fever, sore throat, weakness, cough, or shortness of breath.

What are some other side effects of Vitekta?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Vitekta?

• Store in the original container at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.