| Download the amazing global Makindo app: Android | Apple | |
|---|---|
| MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational use only. Not for diagnosis or management. See below for full disclaimer. |
Enfuvirtide 💊
💉 About
Enfuvirtide is a synthetic fusion inhibitor used in HIV management — a subcutaneous peptide that blocks viral entry into host cells. It is very expensive and reserved for treatment-experienced patients with resistance to multiple antiretroviral classes. Always 🔗 check the BNF entry for current dosing, cautions, and interactions.
🧠 Mode of Action
- Enfuvirtide binds to the gp41 subunit of the HIV envelope glycoprotein.
- This prevents the conformational change required for fusion of the viral and host cell membranes.
- As a result, HIV cannot enter CD4⁺ T-cells, halting infection of new cells.
📋 Indications & Dose
- Used in combination ART for HIV-1 infection in adults and children ≥6 years with extensive drug resistance.
- Given by subcutaneous injection twice daily (SC BD).
- Supplied as a lyophilised powder reconstituted before injection.
⚠️ Interactions
- No major CYP-mediated interactions; safe with most ART regimens.
- Check for potential immunomodulator interactions in the BNF.
🚧 Cautions
- Injection-site reactions are very common; rotate injection sites to reduce risk.
- Use with caution in bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulants.
- Monitor for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) when used with effective ART.
⛔ Contraindications
- No absolute contraindications apart from known hypersensitivity to enfuvirtide or formulation components.
💥 Side Effects
- Injection-site reactions (pain, nodules, erythema) — occur in >90% of patients.
- Fatigue, headache, nausea, dizziness.
- Rare: pneumonia, peripheral neuropathy, or hypersensitivity reactions.
📚 References
- BNF: Enfuvirtide
- British HIV Association (BHIVA) Treatment Guidelines, 2023.
- European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) Guidelines, 2023.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
|
|
Categories
- A Level
- About
- Acute Medicine
- Anaesthetics and Critical Care
- Anatomy
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Book
- Cardiology
- Collections
- CompSci
- Crib Sheets
- Crib sheets
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Differentials
- Drugs
- ENT
- Education
- Electrocardiogram
- Embryology
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Ethics
- Foundation Doctors
- GCSE
- Gastroenterology
- General Practice
- Genetics
- Geriatric Medicine
- Guidelines
- Gynaecology
- Haematology
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Infographic
- Investigations
- Lists
- Mandatory Training
- Medical Students
- Microbiology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nutrition
- OSCE
- OSCEs
- Obstetrics
- Obstetrics Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Medicine and Dentistry
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Palliative
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Procedures
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Renal
- Respiratory
- Resuscitation
- Revision
- Rheumatology
- Statistics and Research
- Stroke
- Surgery
- Toxicology
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- USMLE
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery