Vitekta

Generic name:elvitegravir [ EL-vi-TEG-ra-vir ]
Drug class:Integrase strand transfer inhibitor

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 3, 2022.

What is Vitekta?

Vitekta is an antiviral medication that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Vitekta is used with other antiviral medications to treat HIV, the virus that can cause the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Elvitegravir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Vitekta is usually given after other HIV medicines have been tried without success.

Warnings

You should not use Vitekta if you are also taking dofetilide (Tikosyn).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Vitekta if you are allergic to elvitegravir or if you are also taking cobicistat (Stribild, Tybost) or any other medicines that contain elvitegravir.

To make sure Vitekta is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease, especially hepatitis B or C.

Vitekta is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant and take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Vitekta on the baby.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take Vitekta?

Vitekta is usually taken once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take with food.

Vitekta must be taken together with ritonavir (Norvir) and one other HIV medicine. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following:

• atazanavir (Reyataz);

• darunavir (Prezista);

• fosamprenavir (Lexiva);

• lopinavir/ritonavir combination (Kaletra); or

• tipranavir (Aptivus).

If you are switched from one of these medicines to another, your Vitekta dose needs may change. Carefully follow your doctor's dosing instructions.

While using Vitekta, you may need frequent blood tests.

Use all medicines as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Use your medicines regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescriptions refilled before you run out of medicine completely....