The following side effects have been associated with the use of raltegravir:
- Serious skin and allergic reactions including a rash which can become severe or life-threatening and can be fatal. If you develop a rash with any of the following symptoms stop using raltegravir and contact your Health Care Provider right away:
- Fever
- Generally ill feeling
- Extreme tiredness
- Muscle or joint aches
- Blisters or sores in mouth
- Blisters or peeling of the skin
- Redness or swelling of the eyes
- Swelling of the mouth or face
- Problems breathing
Sometimes allergic reactions can affect body organs, like the liver and cause liver problems which can lead to liver failure. Contact your Health Care Provider right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problem:
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Dark or tea colored urine
- Pale colored stools/bowel movements
- Nausea/vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Pain, aching or tenderness on the right side below the ribs
In some patients receiving raltegravir blood tests showed abnormally elevated levels of a muscle enzyme—creatine kinase which may cause muscle pain, tenderness or weakness this type of muscle break down can be serious and lead to kidney damage including kidney failure. Contact your HCP right away if you have any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
Additional side effects include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Weakness
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Depression, including suicidal thoughts and actions
- Feeling anxious, paranoia
- Clumsiness and lack of coordination
- Changes in behavior, like low or high activity in children
- Easy bleeding (decreased blood clotting, low platelet count)
Note: Raltegravir chewable tablets contain phenylalanine, a component of the sugar substitute aspartame. Phenylalanine can be harmful to children and adults with phenylketonuria, a birth defect that can lead to a variety of health problems.