Fuzeon

Generic Name: enfuvirtide (en FYOO vir tide)

What is Fuzeon?

Fuzeon is an antiviral medication in a group of HIV medicines called fusion inhibitors. Fuzeon prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from entering and taking over the cells in your body.

Fuzeon is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fuzeon is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Fuzeon is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of HIV.

Important information about Fuzeon

Before using Fuzeon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, if you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin, or if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia. You may not be able to use Fuzeon, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Fuzeon may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you have a high viral load, a history of lung disease, or if you smoke. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, fever, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.

Do not use Fuzeon as your only HIV medication. HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. Your disease may become resistant to Fuzeon if you do not use it in combination with other HIV medicines your doctor has prescribed.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Stop using Fuzeon and call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as a signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms; or severe pain, irritation, or skin changes where you injected the medicine.

Before using Fuzeon

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to enfuvirtide.

Before using Fuzeon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Fuzeon.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but HIV can be passed to the baby if the mother is not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection while you are pregnant. You should not breast-feed while you are using Fuzeon. Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed at all. Even if your baby is born without HIV, you may still pass the virus to the baby in your breast milk.

Fuzeon may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you have a high viral load, a history of lung disease, or if you smoke. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of pneumonia, such as cough, fever, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath.

How should I use Fuzeon?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use Fuzeon in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Fuzeon is given as an injection under the skin of your arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Carefully follow all instructions about giving yourself an Fuzeon injection. Most people using this medication have a skin reaction where the medicine is injected. Your caregivers can tell you what type of skin reactions are serious and when to call your doctor.

Fuzeon is usually injected twice a day. Each vial of Fuzeon is for a single use only.

Fuzeon is a powder that must be mixed with a liquid (sterile water) provided with the medicine. After mixing the powder and the liquid, gently tap the vial for 10 seconds and then slowly roll it between your hands. Let the vial stand until the powder completely dissolves (up to 45 minutes). If the mixture is foamy or gel-like, allow more time for it to dissolve.

Do not shake the mixture. Shaking will make the medicine foam and it will take much longer to dissolve. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. You may mix both of your day’s doses at the same time, but once the medicine is mixed you must keep it in a refrigerator and use it within 24 hours.

When you are ready to use the medicine, take the vial out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature. Inspect the mixture again for particles or change in color. Do not draw your Fuzeon dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Then throw away the vial, even if there is medicine left in it.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not use Fuzeon as your only HIV medication. HIV/AIDS is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. Your disease may become resistant to Fuzeon if you do not use it in combination with other HIV medicines your doctor has prescribed.

To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

It is important to use Fuzeon regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Store unmixed Fuzeon powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an Fuzeon overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while using Fuzeon?

Avoid injecting this medication near your elbow, knee, groin, navel, or buttocks. Do not inject into moles, scars, tattoos, burns, bruises, or skin that is not otherwise healthy.

Using Fuzeon will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people through unprotected sex or sharing of needles. Talk with your doctor about safe methods of preventing HIV transmission during sex, such as using a condom and spermicide. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Fuzeon can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Fuzeon side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; fever, chills; nausea, vomiting; difficulty breathing; feeling light-headed or fainting; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Fuzeon and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

cough with fever, chest congestion, and shortness of breath;

signs of a new infection, such as fever or chills, cough, or flu symptoms.

nerve pain lasting for several weeks or months; or

severe or prolonged (more than 7 days) injection site reaction.

Less serious side effects may include:

pain, itching, irritation, redness, swelling, or raised bumps under your skin where the medicine was injected;

pain or numbness in your feet or legs;

weakness or loss of strength;

muscle pain;

sleep problems (insomnia);

depression;

loss of appetite; or

constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Fuzeon?

Before using Fuzeon, tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). You may need a dosage dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Fuzeon. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.