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Rescriptor Side Effects

Generic name: delavirdine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 25, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Rescriptor Side Effects associated with delavirdine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Rescriptor.

Applies to delavirdine: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Rescriptor

Along with its needed effects, delavirdine (the active ingredient contained in Rescriptor) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking delavirdine:

More common

  • skin rash (severe) with itching

Less common

  • skin rash with symptoms such as fever, blistering, oral lesions, conjunctivitis, swelling, muscle aches, or joint aches

Rare

  • difficulty in breathing

Incidence unknown

Other side effects of Rescriptor

Some side effects of delavirdine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • body aches or pain
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • discouragement
  • ear congestion
  • fear
  • feeling sad or empty
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • joint pain
  • lack or loss of strength
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • loss of voice
  • muscle aches and pains
  • nasal congestion
  • nervousness
  • pain, localized
  • pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
  • runny nose
  • shivering
  • shortness of breath
  • sneezing
  • sweating
  • tightness in chest
  • tiredness
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
  • wheezing

Less common

  • abdominal pain, generalized
  • dryness or soreness of throat
  • hoarseness
  • sleeplessness
  • tender, swollen glands in neck
  • trouble in swallowing
  • unable to sleep
  • voice changes

For healthcare professionals

Applies to delavirdine: oral tablet.

General

In clinical trials with this drug alone or with other antiretroviral agents, most side effects were of mild or moderate severity. The most common drug-related side effect was skin rash.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Most drug-related rashes occurred within 1 to 3 weeks after starting therapy. In most cases, rash duration was less than 2 weeks and did not require dose reduction or discontinuation of this drug. Most patients resumed therapy after rechallenge with this drug when treatment was interrupted due to rash. The distribution of rash was primarily on the upper body and proximal arms, with decreasing severity of lesions on the neck and face, and progressively less on the remaining trunk and limbs.

Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurred rarely in clinical trials and typically resolved when this drug was discontinued.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Increased amylase (greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal [2 x ULN]) has been reported in up to 3.5% of patients.[Ref]

Nervous system

Other

Psychiatric

Hematologic

Decreased neutrophils (less than 750/mm3), decreased hemoglobin (less than 7 mg/dL), prolonged prothrombin time (greater than 1.5 x ULN), and increased activated partial thromboplastin (greater than 2.33 x ULN) have been reported in up to 7.6%, up to 2.9%, up to 2.4%, and up to 2.4% of patients, respectively.[Ref]

Respiratory

Hepatic

Increased ALT (greater than 5 x ULN), AST (greater than 5 x ULN), bilirubin (greater than 2.5 x ULN), and GGT (greater than 5 x ULN) have been reported in up to 5.1%, up to 3.4%, up to 2.5%, and up to 1.8% of patients, respectively.[Ref]

Metabolic

Antiretroviral therapy:

Decreased or increased glucose (hypoglycemia [less than 40 mg/dL] or hyperglycemia [greater than 250 mg/dL]) has been reported in up to 1.7% of patients.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Renal

Genitourinary

Musculoskeletal

Ocular

Immunologic

Hypersensitivity

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Rescriptor (delavirdine)." Pharmacia and Upjohn

2. Bellman PC (1998) "Clinical experience with adding delavirdine to combination therapy in patients in whom multiple antiretroviral treatment including protease inhibitors has failed." AIDS, 12, p. 1333-40

3. Conway B (2000) "Initial therapy with protease inhibitor-sparing regimens: Evaluation of nevirapine and delavirdine." Clin Infect Dis, 30, s130-4

4. Scott LJ, Perry CM (2000) "Delavirdine - A review of its use in HIV infection." Drugs, 60, p. 1411-44

5. Warnke D, Barreto J, Temesgen Z (2007) "Antiretroviral drugs." J Clin Pharmacol, 47, p. 1570-9

6. Davey RT Jr, Chaitt DG, Reed GF, Freimuth WW, Herpin BR, Metcalf JA, Eastman PS, Falloon J, Kovacs JA, Polis MA, Walker RE, Masur H, Boyle J (1996) "Randomized, controlled phase I/II, trial of combination therapy with delavirdine (U-90152S) and conventional nucleosides in huma immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 40, p. 1657-64

7. Holtzer CD, Coleman RL (1998) "Use of nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors." Am J Health Syst Pharm, 55, p. 283-7

8. Moyle G (2001) "The emerging roles of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in antiretroviral therapy." Drugs, 61, p. 19-26

Further information

Rescriptor side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.