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Overview: Etravirine is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It works by helping stop the spread of HIV in your body. Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, and pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet. Tell your health care provider right away if you get a rash, as it can sometimes be severe. Etravirine interacts with many other medicines. Tell your health care providers about all the medicines and supplements you take.

Uses

What is etravirine used for?

Etravirine is commonly used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Etravirine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does etravirine work (mechanism of action)?

Etravirine works to help stop the spread of HIV in your body. A lower amount of HIV in your body helps protect and preserve the immune system.

How is etravirine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Intelence

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 25 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg oral tablets

How should I store etravirine?

Etravirine should be stored tightly closed in the original container at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. The bottle contains a desiccant, which helps protect it from moisture. Do not remove the desiccant.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of etravirine?

The most common side effects of etravirine are listed below. These side effects may vary based on your age. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Rash (see below)
  • Pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Diarrhea

There may be other side effects of etravirine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of etravirine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of etravirine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Rash or Skin Reactions. Etravirine can commonly cause a rash. Sometimes, it can cause a severe rash or skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. Women or certain children may be at higher risk of a rash. If you get a rash, call your health care provider right away. Stop taking etravirine and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, tiredness, and muscle or joint aches
  • Swelling of your face, mouth, or lips

Immune System Changes. When you start etravirine, your immune system might get stronger and start fighting infections that have been hiding inside your body for a long time. The type of symptoms you may have will depend on the infection. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following new symptoms of infection.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Vision problems
  • Confusion, problems talking, or headache
  • Skin problems such as a painful rash or warts
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Weakness or coordination problems

Fat Redistribution. Some people taking etravirine have changes in how their body stores fat. You may get more fat around your belly, breasts, or upper back (buffalo hump). You may lose fat in your arms, legs, face, or butt. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Etravirine may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps or pain
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee or light-colored poop
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use etravirine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take etravirine.

  • Etravirine 
  • Intelence
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific etravirine products they stock.

What should I know about etravirine before using it?

Do not take etravirine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it exactly as prescribed.

Take each dose of etravirine after a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach because it may not work as well.

Do not share etravirine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep etravirine out of the reach of children.

Swallow etravirine whole with liquid. Do not chew the tablet. If you cannot swallow etravirine whole, you may mix the tablet with water. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider how to do this.

While etravirine can help keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Etravirine does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

What should I tell my health care provider before using etravirine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if etravirine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Liver Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had liver problems, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Etravirine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking etravirine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how etravirine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take etravirine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking etravirine, you can register for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263 or at www.apregistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Etravirine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking etravirine and having HIV.

Interactions

Does etravirine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between etravirine and foods or drinks. Etravirine should always be taken after a meal.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect etravirine.

Does etravirine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using etravirine.

  • Any other medicines for HIV
  • A medicine for hepatitis C
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat an irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • A medicine for an irregular heart rate or rhythm, such as amiodarone, disopyramide, propafenone, or quinidine
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or phenytoin
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • A statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor and others), lovastatin, or simvastatin, which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Prograf), which are medicines that suppress your immune system
  • A phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), which is a medicine used for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • A mixed agonist/antagonist or partial agonist opioid analgesic, such as buprenorphine (Butrans, Sublocade), butorphanol, and others, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain or opioid use disorder
  • Methadone, which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain or opioid use disorder
  • Diazepam, which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of etravirine, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with etravirine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much etravirine?

If you or someone else has used too much etravirine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of etravirine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Missing doses of etravirine can cause it to not work as well over time. So, it is important not to miss or skip doses.