Information about Doravirine

Generic Name : Doravirine
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Doravirine are provided here.

Pronunciation : DOR-a-VIR-een

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Doravirine, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Antiretroviral Agents

Trade Names/Brand Names of Doravirine

India :

Pifeltro

Why is Doravirine Prescribed? (Indications)

Doravirine is prescribed to treat human immunodeficiency-1 (HIV-1) virus infection in adult patients only in combination with other antiretroviral medications.

Doravirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRTI) inhibitor that should be used in HIV-1 patients who have not been treated earlier with HIV-1 treating medications.

Doravirine is also used as a fixed-dose combination with lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with the trade name “Delstrigo” to treat HIV-1 infection.

The HIV-1 virus is responsible for causing AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus) which interferes with the human immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight against infections.

When should Doravirine not be taken? (Contraindications)

Doravirine should not be used in patients-

• If there is an allergy to doravirine
• Pregnant and breastfeeding
• Children below 18 years of age

Caution is required if doravirine is used in patients with-

• Severe liver disease
• End-stage kidney disease or patients undergoing dialysis

What is the dosage of Doravirine?

• The recommended adult dose of doravirine is 100 mg tablet that should be taken once a day.

• In adult patients taking rifabutin, the dose of doravirine must be increased to 1 tablet two times daily with a gap of approximately 12 hours between two doses.

How should Doravirine be taken?

• Doravirine is available in a tablet form and should be taken by mouth, either with or without food.

• In case of stomach discomfort, the tablets of doravirine can be taken with food to minimize side effects caused to the stomach.

• Take doravirine tablets at the same time every day.

• Never stop taking doravirine tablets without the doctor’s advice and be careful that you do not run out short of doravirine because the interrupted viral treatment may lead to resistance of HIV virus and become difficult to treat thereafter.

Missed a Dose?

• If a dose of a doravirine tablet is missed, take the missed dose of doravirine as soon as you remember.

• If the time for the next dose is close, do not take the missed dose but continue with the following dose of doravirine as per the next dosing schedule prescribed by the doctor.

• Do not take two doses of doravirine tablets to make up for the missed dose which is very harmful.

What are the warnings and precautions for Doravirine?

• Patients can experience certain swelling or inflammatory response soon after treatment with doravirine is initiated. This is because the body’s immune system becomes stronger and starts to fight against the previous infections.

• During such situations, patients are advised to consult the treating doctor or the specialist immediately to treat any symptoms of infection with appropriate medical care.

• Breastfeeding mothers should be advised not to breastfeed their babies as there is a chance of passing the HIV-1 infection to the babies.

• Doravirine can affect the unborn baby when given to pregnant women. So, it is necessary to check the pregnancy status (proceed only if negative) before giving doravirine to women of childbearing age who are living with active male partners.

What are the side effects of Doravirine?

The most common side effects of doravirine are-

• Headache
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Nausea
• Loose stools
• Pain in the stomach
• Fatigue or unusual weakness
• Abnormal dreams
• Rashes and itchy skin
• Sleeping difficulty

What are the other precautions for Doravirine?

• Do not take doravirine tablets for the condition it is not prescribed.

• Never recommend doravirine tablets to another person without a doctor’s advice which may be harmful even if the symptoms or signs are similar to an HIV-1 infection.

What are the Drug Interactions of Doravirine?

Doravirine interacts with the following drugs resulting in loss of response in treating the virus which may eventually result in resistance to the treatment. Therefore these drugs should be avoided during treatment with doravirine.

• Enzalutamide
• Anticonvulsant drugs (e.g., Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital)
• Antitubercular drugs (e.g., Rifampin, Rifabutin, Rifapentine)
• Cancer treating drugs (e.g., Mitotane)
• HIV treating medications (e.g., Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine)
• Herbal supplements (St. John’s Wort)

It is very important to stop these medications at least four weeks before starting treatment with doravirine.

Patients should inform the doctor if they are taking or plan to take any prescription, Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs, or herbal supplements before taking doravirine to avoid treatment failure or dangerous side effects caused by drugs.

What are the storage conditions for Doravirine?

• Store doravirine tablets in its original container at room temperature between 15°C to 25°C.

• Protect the doravirine tablets from excess heat and keep the medicine container tightly closed.

• Do not remove the desiccant provided in the container as it helps to absorb the moisture inside the doravirine container.

• Keep the doravirine tablets away from the reach of children.