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NON-NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITOR (NNRTI)
Pifeltro (doravirine) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults and children weighing at least 35 kilograms.
Pifeltro is a type of medicine called a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). It blocks HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, an enzyme the virus needs to make more copies of itself. This inhibits HIV-1 replication.
Doctors prescribe Pifeltro with other HIV-1 medicines to treat adults and children who weigh at least 35 kilograms. It may be used in people who have not taken HIV-1 medicines before. It may also replace a person’s current HIV-1 medicines if their healthcare provider determines that certain requirements are met.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Pifeltro is a tablet taken by mouth once each day, at about the same time every day. It can be taken with or without food.
The recommended dose of Pifeltro is one 100-milligram tablet taken by mouth once daily.
If you take rifabutin during treatment with Pifeltro, take one Pifeltro tablet twice each day, about 12 hours apart, as prescribed by your doctor.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Pifeltro with other HIV medicines, the most common side effects occurred in at least 5 percent to 7 percent of people. These include:
Pifeltro can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Merck & Co., Inc, the manufacturer of Pifeltro, offers a savings coupon. Eligible people with private insurance may pay as little as $0 in out-of-pocket costs, up to a maximum program benefit of $6,800.
The program is not available to people who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicare or other government insurance programs.
To learn more, visit the Pifeltro website for special offers.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to doravirine, DOR, or any ingredients in Pifeltro.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Do not take Pifeltro with certain medicines that can lower the amount of Pifeltro in your body and make it less effective. These include carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, enzalutamide, rifampin, rifapentine, mitotane, and St. John’s wort.
Do not stop taking Pifeltro or let your supply run out without talking to your doctor. If treatment is stopped, the amount of HIV-1 in your blood may increase. The virus may also develop resistance and become harder to treat.
If you miss a dose of Pifeltro, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
A pregnancy exposure registry monitors pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Pifeltro. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies by visiting the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or calling 800-258-4263.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether doravirine passes into human breast milk.
Breastfeeding may carry risks, including:
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Pifeltro for HIV?
In one study of adults who had not taken HIV treatment before, 72 percent of people taking Pifeltro with two other HIV medicines had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at week 96. This compared with 65 percent of people taking darunavir plus ritonavir and two other HIV medicines.
In another study, 77 percent of people taking a doravirine-containing HIV regimen had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at Week 96. This compared with 74 percent of people taking an efavirenz-containing regimen.
Among adults whose HIV was already suppressed and who switched to a doravirine-containing regimen, 91 percent had a viral load below 50 copies per milliliter at week 48.
How long does Pifeltro take to work for HIV?
Clinical studies measured HIV viral load at specific times, including weeks 48 and 96. They do not give one exact amount of time for when Pifeltro starts working.
Doravirine reaches a steady amount in the body in about two days. However, this does not mean that a person’s viral load will improve within two days.
Can Pifeltro be used with other medicines for HIV?
Yes. Pifeltro is used with other antiretroviral medicines, also called HIV medicines, to treat HIV-1.
Pifeltro can interact with other medicines. Do not take it with carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, enzalutamide, rifampin, rifapentine, mitotane, or St. John’s wort. Use with efavirenz, etravirine, or nevirapine is not recommended.
If you take rifabutin, your healthcare provider will have you take Pifeltro twice daily, about 12 hours apart.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take.
On myHIVteam, people share their experiences with HIV, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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