Question
What do you know about raltegravir (Isentress)?
21 October 2008. Related: All topics, Starting treatment.
I will be starting treatment on 10/18/08 because of my blood platelet count 80 (2 years ago it was 300).
I was diagnosed 2 years ago and I have had the same CD4 571 and viral load 6600 for 2 years also.
I will begin taking Combivir and Isentress. What do you know about Isentress? I heard it was part of a new class of drugs.
Answer
Raltegravir (Isentress) is the first approved medication from the class of the integrase inhibitors. i-Base has followed the studies and its approval in the different parts of the world and has reported those in the HIV Treatment Bulletin.
However, it is quite unusual to use Combivir and Isentress as a first line combination, unless you were infected with drug resistant HIV or you are part of a research study.
This is for two main reasons:
i) Combivir (AZT+3TC) is generally less frequently prescribed in first-line combinations – with either Truvada (tenofovir+FTC), or sometimes Kivexa (abacavir+3TC) being preferred. Also, the AZT in Combivir can sometimes reduce platelets and cause anaemia, so I’m not sure why your doctor is suggesting this.
and
ii) Isentress is not approved as a first treatment unless there is already broad drug resistance. It is also a much more expensive drug.
In your situation, where your CD4 count is strong and your viral load is low, I’m not sure why you are starting treatment so early (unless this is your choice) or why your doctor doesn’t just treat your anaemia.
Nevertheles, here is some basic information on the new drug Istentress at this link:
…and a good fact sheet from aidsmeds.com is at this link.
More detailed coverage from i-Base on different aspects of the medication is available from the links on this page.
I was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. They never said anything about anaemia. I had been feeling fine and my energy level was good. I begin to bleed quite a bit from the smallest cuts, I started having nose bleeds and I would bruise in my sleep. The ability for my blood to clot started to become more and more obvious. Based on my medical history and labs over the past 2 years and what was happening in the last few months the specialists that I see believed starting now would be the best course of action. Why those particular drugs I do not know. But I’m fortuate enough not to have to pay much for the medicines. Other than not being able to come off of them have I caused harm to myself? Thanks for your answers they are very very much appreciated.