Drug reference

Enfuvirtide

Antiretroviral

Also known as T-20, Fuzeon

Antiretroviral

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.

FDA category + note

Mechanism

Enfuvirtide is a fusion inhibitor that binds to the gp41 domain of HIV-1, preventing the fusion of the viral lipid bilayer with the host cell membrane. This action blocks the entry of the viral genomic RNA into the cytoplasm, thereby inhibiting viral replication.

Indications

HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for resistant infection or for patients intolerant to other antiretroviral regimenstreatment-experienced adults and children weighing 11 kg or more who have evidence of HIV replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapyHIV (as an add-on drug to an optimized regimen in selected patients who have failed many earlier regimens and have no other treatment option)

Dosing

Adult: 90 mg twice daily by subcutaneous injection

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life

3.8

Bioavailability

84% (subcutaneous)

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to enfuvirtide

Side effects

Common

AnxietyAppetite decreasedAstheniaConcentration impairedConjunctivitisDiabetes mellitusGastrooesophageal reflux diseaseHaematuriaHypertriglyceridaemiaIncreased risk of infectionInfluenza-like illnessIrritabilityLymphadenopathyMyalgiaNasal congestionNephrolithiasisNightmareNumbnessPancreatitisPeripheral neuropathySkin papillomaSkin reactionsTremorVertigoWeight decreasedpain at injection siteerythema at injection siteinduration at injection sitesubcutaneous nodules or cystsinjections are painfullocal nodules/cysts

Serious

Hypersensitivity reactions (including rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, rigors, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, glomerulonephritis, and raised liver enzymes)
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
Osteonecrosis
Diarrhoea
lymphadenopathy
pneumonia