II. Indications

  1. HIV Infection (part of combination therapy)
    1. Treatment-experienced patients
    2. Limited use in clinical practice

III. Mechanism

  1. Fusion Inhibitors block HIV from binding Chemokine receptors (HIV envelope Protein) on CD4+ Cells, preventing its cell entry
  2. Enfuvirtide is the first of the Fusion Inhibitors

IV. Dosing: Enfuvirtide

  1. General
    1. Used in combination with other HIV Antiretrovirals
    2. Rotate injection sites in the upper arm, anterior thigh and Abdomen
    3. Avoid reinjecting sites of active cutaneous reaction
    4. Injection kits include all supplies (90 mg enfuviritide per vial, sterile water, syringes)
      1. Prepare injection by reconstituting powder in 1.1 ml sterile water diluent
      2. Let stand until dissolves, up to 45 minutes (do not shake)
  2. Adult
    1. Inject 90 mg SQ twice daily
  3. Child (age 6 to 16 years old)
    1. Inject 2 mg/kg (max 90 mg) SQ twice daily

V. Adverse Effects

  1. Injection site pain and reaction (common)
  2. Eosinophilic Hypersensitivity Reaction (<1%)
  3. Neutropenia
  4. Increased risk of Bacterial Pneumonia

VI. Safety

  1. Avoid in Lactation
  2. Unknown safety in pregnancy (pregnancy registry exists)

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies