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ENTRY INHIBITOR/CCR5 ANTAGONIST
Selzentry (maraviroc) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults and children weighing at least 2 kilograms who have only CCR5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
Selzentry is a type of medicine called a CCR5 co-receptor antagonist. CCR5 is a protein found on the surface of some immune cells. Certain types of HIV-1 use CCR5 to enter these cells.
Selzentry blocks CCR5 and prevents CCR5-tropic HIV-1 from entering the cells. Doctors prescribe Selzentry when adults or children weighing at least 2 kilograms have only CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infection. It is used with other antiretroviral medicines.
Selzentry is not recommended when HIV-1 uses CXCR4 or a mix of CCR5 and CXCR4. CXCR4 is another co-receptor that some types of HIV-1 use to enter cells.
HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Selzentry comes as tablets and an oral solution. It is taken by mouth and may be taken with or without food. Selzentry tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed.
The oral solution should be given using the supplied press-in bottle adapter and the correct oral dosing syringe.
Selzentry is taken twice daily. The recommended dose for adults depends on the other medicines being taken.
The dose is 150 milligrams twice daily with certain strong CYP3A inhibitors, 300 milligrams twice daily with medicines that do not strongly affect CYP3A, or 600 milligrams twice daily with certain moderate or strong CYP3A inducers when a strong CYP3A inhibitor is not being used.
CYP3A is an enzyme involved in breaking down maraviroc. Some medicines can affect CYP3A and raise or lower the amount of Selzentry in the body. Because of this, the Selzentry dose may need to change.
For children, the dose is based on body weight and other medicines being taken. The dose should not be higher than the recommended adult dose. Children ages 2 and older who weigh at least 10 kilograms may use tablets.
The oral solution can be used for children who weigh at least 2 kilograms.
Adults with kidney problems may need different dosing depending on how well their kidneys work and the other medicines they take.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
In clinical studies of Selzentry, the most common side effects varied based on the people studied and the treatment they received. These included:
Side effects in treatment-experienced adults included:
Side effects in treatment-naive adults included:
Side effects in treatment-experienced children included:
Selzentry 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.
ViiV Healthcare, the manufacturer of Selzentry, offers the ViiV Healthcare Patient Assistance Program (PAP). Eligible people may be able to receive ViiV Healthcare medicines at no cost.
Qualifying people may be uninsured or have Medicare and meet other eligibility requirements. People enrolled in Medicaid or most other federal or state government-funded health plans are not eligible.
To learn more, visit the ViiV Healthcare Patient Assistance Program or call 844-588-3288.
Before starting Selzentry, your doctor will test your HIV-1 to make sure it uses the CCR5 co-receptor. This is called a CCR5 tropism test. Your doctor will also check liver tests, including ALT, AST, and bilirubin, before you start Selzentry and at other times during treatment if needed.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Before taking Selzentry, tell your doctor if you:
Some medicines can raise or lower the amount of Selzentry in your body. This may change the dose of Selzentry you need. St. John’s wort should not be taken with Selzentry because it may lower Selzentry levels and make treatment less effective.
Do not take Selzentry if you:
Do not miss doses or let your supply of Selzentry run out. Missing doses may allow the amount of HIV-1 in your blood to increase and may make the virus harder to treat.
If you miss a dose, follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or in the Selzentry Medication Guide. Do not take more Selzentry than prescribed.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your healthcare provider.
A pregnancy registry tracks pregnancy outcomes in people exposed to Selzentry. Healthcare providers can register pregnancies through the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry or by calling 800-258-4263.
Do not breastfeed while taking Selzentry. The prescribing information also advises people with HIV-1 not to breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to a baby through breast milk.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Selzentry for HIV?
In clinical studies of adults with CCR5-tropic HIV-1 who had taken HIV treatment before, 56 percent of people taking Selzentry plus optimized background therapy had an HIV-1 viral load below 400 copies per milliliter after 48 weeks. This compared with 22 percent of people taking a placebo (an inactive treatment) plus optimized background therapy.
CD4+ cells are immune cells that help the body fight infections. In the same studies, CD4+ cell counts increased by an average of 124 cells per cubic millimeter with Selzentry plus optimized background therapy, compared with 60 cells per cubic millimeter with a placebo.
In adults who had not taken HIV treatment before, Selzentry was studied with lamivudine/zidovudine. At 96 weeks, 64 percent of people taking this combination had an HIV-1 viral load below 400 copies per milliliter.
The same result, 64 percent, was seen in people taking efavirenz with lamivudine/zidovudine. The median increase in CD4+ cell count was 184 cells per cubic millimeter with Selzentry and 155 cells per cubic millimeter with efavirenz.
How long does Selzentry take to work for HIV?
The study results report changes in HIV-1 viral load and CD4+ cell counts at specific study timepoints, including 48 weeks and 96 weeks. They do not give an exact amount of time for how quickly Selzentry will work for an individual.
Your healthcare provider can use blood tests, including viral load and CD4+ cell counts, to check how well your treatment is working.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Selzentry for HIV?
Before starting Selzentry, you should have a CCR5 tropism test. This test checks whether your HIV-1 uses the CCR5 co-receptor to enter cells. Your doctor should also check liver blood tests, including ALT, AST, and bilirubin, before you start treatment and at other times during treatment if needed.
These tests should also be checked if you develop a rash or signs of liver problems or an allergic reaction. If you already have liver problems or have hepatitis B or C, you may need extra monitoring while taking Selzentry.
Your healthcare provider should also watch for signs of infection during treatment.
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