There are no major harmful interactions known to occur between Isentress and most of the antibiotics. However, this does not guarantee that no harm can come from continuous usage. Hence, it is important to always consult a doctor or healthcare provider.
Isentress is a fixed-dose combination drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States for the treatment of HIV-1 in adolescents, adults, and children [1]. It contains raltegravir as its active ingredient.
It belongs to a group of drugs that prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS by interfering with the multiplication of the virus. Isentress is not a cure for HIV. However, if the prescription is followed, it can help patients live normally.
This drug can be taken with or without food.
Antibiotics are a very effective treatment for a wide range of infections. Just like HIV-negative people, if an HIV-positive patient has a bacterial infection that requires treatment by antibiotics, they should use them. However, drug interaction may vary from individual to individual, depending on the type of antibiotic taken, its dosage, and the state of the immune system of the patient. For example, extreme caution should be taken while administering Isentress with rifampin or rifampicin, which are used to treat tuberculosis, a common opportunistic infection, as the levels of raltegravir may decrease [2].
It is also worthy of note that, there are several types, combination and/or purpose of use of antibiotics (triple antibiotic, antibiotic with pain relief, antibiotic with pramoxine, etc.) and that interactions may differ based on the additives as well. Always consult a medical practitioner before combining these ARVs with each other and antibiotics.