Isentress vs. Tivicay for HIV Treatment: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Isentress

(raltegravir)

Tivicay

(dolutegravir)

Summary for Isentress

Prescription only

Isentress (raltegravir) is used treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in adults and children. It's a type of HIV medication called an integrase inhibitor. Isentress (raltegravir) comes as regular tablets, chewable tablets, and granules for oral suspension. Depending on your dose, you take it by mouth once or twice a day. Side effects include headache, trouble sleeping, and nausea. Isentress (raltegravir) is taken with other HIV medications as part of a full treatment plan.

Indications for Isentress

Treatment of HIV

Pros and Cons for Isentress

Pros

Can take with or without food
Approved for both adults and children
Available as chewable tablets and an oral suspension for young children
Often causes few side effects

Cons

Must take with other HIV medications
Not a first-choice option for HIV for most people new to treatment according to clinical guidelines
Might not be a good option for people at risk of muscle damage or rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown)
Can interact with certain antacids

Common Side Effects for Isentress

Headache (4%)
Trouble sleeping (4%)
Nausea (3%)

Warnings for Isentress

Severe skin reactions and allergic reactions
Overactive immune system
Possible muscle damage
Chewable tablets not recommended for people with phenylketonuria (PKU)

Summary for Tivicay

Prescription only

Tivicay (dolutegravir) is a medication that's used as part of an antiretroviral (ARV) regimen for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Some side effects can include trouble sleeping, tiredness, and headache, but they aren't very common with this medication. Tivicay (dolutegravir) comes as two different formulations: a tablet that you swallow whole and a tablet that you mix in water to make into a liquid solution. Tivicay (dolutegravir) is only available as a brand-name medication; there's no generic at this time.

Indications for Tivicay

Treatment of HIV infection in people aged 4 weeks and older

Pros and Cons for Tivicay

Pros

Can take with or without food
Available for adults and children at least 4 weeks old and weighing at least 7 pounds
Has an oral tablet formulation that can be dissolved in water and taken as a solution (Tivicay PD), so it's convenient if you have trouble swallowing pills

Cons

Interacts with a lot of medications, such as some other HIV medications, anti-seizure medications (e.g., oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)), and antacids
Can't take with dofetilide (Tikosyn) because of risk of serious side events
Not recommended for use if you have severe liver problems

Common Side Effects for Tivicay

The following side effects were reported in adults taking this medication with other HIV ARVs. Side effects might differ in children.

Higher lipase levels (up to 11%)
Higher blood sugar levels (up to 9%)
Higher creatine kinase levels in the blood (up to 7%)
Abnormal liver labs (up to 5%)
Trouble sleeping (up to 3%)
Headache (up to 2%)
Feeling tired (up to 2%)

Warnings for Tivicay

Allergic reaction
Liver problems
Overactive immune system
Interactions with other medications
Harm to unborn baby

Prices with our coupons for Isentress vs. Tivicay

Isentress60 tablets / 400mg

$2,079.99$2,533.35

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Tivicay30 tablets / 50mg of

$2,336.13$2,990.84

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Isentress vs. Tivicay

Isentress

Tivicay

Summary for Isentress

Indications for Isentress

Pros and Cons for Isentress

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Isentress

Warnings for Isentress

Summary for Tivicay

Indications for Tivicay

Pros and Cons for Tivicay

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Tivicay

Warnings for Tivicay

Prices with our coupons for Isentress vs. Tivicay

Browse medications by letter

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Isentress

Tivicay

Summary for Isentress

Indications for Isentress

Pros and Cons for Isentress

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Isentress

Warnings for Isentress

Summary for Tivicay

Indications for Tivicay

Pros and Cons for Tivicay

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Tivicay

Warnings for Tivicay