What is Rescriptor?

• Rescriptor is an anti-HIV medication. It is in a category of HIV medicines called non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Rescriptor prevents HIV from entering the nucleus of healthy T-cells. This prevents the cells from producing new HIV and decreases the amount of virus in the body.

• Rescriptor, manufactured by Pfizer, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV in 1997.

• Rescriptor must be used in combination with other drugs to treat HIV. It is usually combined with two nucleoside analogues.

Potential side effects and toxicity

• The most common side effect of Rescriptor is skin rash. In clinical trials, approximately one of every four (25%) HIV-positive people who took the drug developed a rash. Most of these cases involved either mild or moderate rash—the rashes either improved on their own or were managed using a mild steroid cream or oral medication. If you experience rash while taking Rescriptor, be sure to report it to your doctor.

What are some drug interactions?

• Rescriptor is broken down (metabolized) by the liver, like many medications used to treat HIV and AIDS. This means that Rescriptor can interact with other medications. Rescriptor can lower or raise the levels of other medications in the body. Similarly, other medications can lower or raise the levels of Rescriptor in the body. While many interactions are not a problem, some can cause your medications to be less effective or increase the risk of side effects.

• The following medications should not be taken while you are being treated with Rescriptor:

Antibiotics: Priftin (rifapentine), Mycobutin (rifabutin), Rifadin (rifampin)

Antihistamines: Hismanal (astemizole)

Acid reflux/heartburn medications: Propulsid (cisapride), Tagamet (cimetidine), Pepcid (famotidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole), and other H2 antagonists and proton-pump inhibitors.

Sedatives: Versed (midazolam) and Halcion (triazolam)

Antimigraine medications: Wigraine and Cafergot (ergot medications)

Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins): Zocor (simvastatin) and Mevacor (lovastatin).

What is known about Rescriptor?

• Rescriptor is available in 100mg tablets and 200mg capsules. The total daily dose is 400mg three times a day—either 4 tablets or 2 capsules in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The capsules are swallowed whole with a glass of water, juice, soda, or milk. The tablets can be dissolved in water or another liquid so that they are easier to swallow.

• You may take Rescriptor either with or without food.

• You should not take Rescriptor within an hour of taking an antacid medicine (e.g., Tums, Mylanta). This is because Rescriptor needs acid in the stomach in order to be absorbed properly.

• Some people have a medical condition called achlorhydria. This is a minor problem resulting in low amounts of acid in the stomach. HIV-positive people who have achlorhydria should take Rescriptor with a liquid that contains some acid, such as orange or cranberry juice.

• Rescriptor is not approved for use in HIV-positive children.

• For HIV-positive adults beginning anti-HIV drug therapy for the first time, Rescriptor is not listed as a recommended NNRTI option by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in its treatment guidelines.