Maraviroc is an antiretroviral drug that belongs to the category of medicines known as chemokine receptor antagonist. It was approved by the U.S. FDA on 6th of August 2007 to treat HIV-1 infection.

Maraviroc is prescribed to treat only CCR5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HIV infection is mainly spread by sexual contact with anyone who has the infection or by transfer of infected blood (by sharing injection needles). This drug must be taken in combination with other medicines used to treat HIV infection.

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the drug based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take a Maraviroc Tablet as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Maraviroc are tiredness, hair loss, muscle pain, bleeding, lip sores and irritation at injection site. Some serious side effects also include diarrhoea, stomach pain and hypersensitivity reactions. If you experience any allergic or unusual reactions after taking this medicine, report to your doctor immediately.

This drug is contraindicated in individuals with severe renal impairment and may have altered drug clearance, which mainly affects the efficacy and safety of the medicine. Also, it is highly advised not to use this drug in patients with severe renal impairment. Dose adjustment is necessary for such conditions. The liver metabolizes this medicine, specifically through the cytochrome P450 enzyme. In patients with liver impairment, the clearance of Maraviroc may be reduced, leading to increased drug concentrations in the bloodstream. Due to the higher concentration, caution should be taken when administering the drug to individuals with liver impairment. The dosage of this drug may need to be adjusted by your doctor, or it may need to be used with extra monitoring in these individuals to ensure its safety and efficacy. During the early stages of HIV treatment, some patients may experience an inflammatory response to opportunistic infections. This condition, immune reconstitution syndrome, can occur after starting the drug or other antiretroviral therapies. Knowing this possibility and monitoring for any signs of worsening infections or inflammatory symptoms is necessary. Inform your healthcare provider if the symptoms concern you or persist longer than usual. 

 It is necessary for healthcare professionals to carefully monitor patients taking this drug for any signs or symptoms of skin or hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash, blistering, or mucosal lesions. If a severe reaction is suspected, this medicine should be immediately discontinued the drug and appropriate medical treatment initiated. Patients are also advised to report any skin or hypersensitivity reactions to their healthcare provider and to seek medical emergency immediately if they experience any symptoms of a severe reaction. Tell your doctor immediately about all the medications you have been taking recently, including herbal and supplements, before taking Maraviroc.

To prevent the spread of HIV infection, avoid sharing needles or syringes, which can transmit HIV-1 infections easily. It's necessary for individuals who use injectable drugs to use sterile needles and syringes and never share them with others. Personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades, or anything that can have blood or body fluids on them should also be avoided. They should not be shared because HIV-1 can be present in blood and certain body fluids, and sharing these items could mainly transmit the virus.

If you forget to take Maraviroc on your normal time, then take your usual dose whenever you remember, or if you forget to take this medication for the entire day, then take your usual dose the next day. However, do not double dose yourself. Do not discontinue the usage of this medication without informing your doctor. Avoid driving and handling heavy machinery after taking this medication as it can affect the concentration and alertness.

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The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice, it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.