The FDA recently approved a higher dosage strength for the HIV medication Intelence (etravirine), which is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). The drug is used to treat HIV-1 in adults.

Intelence is currently manufactured by Tibotec Therapeutics, a division of Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., and is made in dosages of 100 mg. However, this is about to change as the FDA has approved it to be manufactured in 200 mg dosages.

Intelence comes with warnings that it may cause severe skin reactions and hypersensitivity in some patients. It also warns patients that they may be at risk of contracting Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme. The warning specifically advises patients that they may experience the first symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome within the first 6 weeks of taking the drug. The most common symptom they would be likely to experience is a rash. Other symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis listed on the warning include:

  • severe rash or rash accompanied by fever,
  • general malaise,
  • fatigue,
  • muscle or joint aches,
  • blisters,
  • oral lesions,
  • sloughing off of skin,
  • conjunctivitis,
  • facial edema and
  • hepatitis

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are rare adverse skin reactions to a medication. In its most severe form, it can be life-threatening, especially to those patients infected with immune deficiencies like HIV or AIDS. Patients suffering from SJS or TENS after taking Intelence may be eligible for compensation through their disability insurance company and SJS attorneys like Greg Jones can make sure that they get it. Contact Greg Jones today for a free consultation if you have taken Intelence and suffered from SJS or TENS, or if you have been denied your SJS or TENS-related disability insurance claim. I will fight hard to help you get every dime that you may be entitled to and deserve.