Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Rescriptor.
Fat redistribution: Over time Rescriptor may change how fat is distributed in your body and may change your body shape. You may notice increased fat in the upper back and neck, breast, around the back, chest, and stomach area; or loss of fat
from the legs, arms, and face. The long-term effects of this are not known.
Liver function: Delavirdine is removed from the body by the liver and may cause liver problems. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Rescriptor may affect your medical condition, how your medical
condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rescriptor, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or abdominal pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Skin rash: A temporary skin rash may appear within 1 to 3 weeks after starting treatment with delavirdine. The rash usually goes away in about 3 to 14 days and can be treated without stopping treatment with delavirdine.
Stopping the medication: If you stop taking Rescriptor, your HIV infection could get worse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.
Pregnancy: Studies demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of using Rescriptor during pregnancy are not available. Rescriptor should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh risks. If you become pregnant while
taking Rescriptor, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if delavirdine passes into breast milk. However, since HIV can be transmitted by breast milk, women who have HIV should not breast-feed.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of delavirdine has not been established for children younger than 16 years old.