Xapavir 50 Mg Tablet

Description

What Is Xapavir 50 Mg Tablet?

Xapavir 50 Mg Tablet is a prescription antiretroviral medicine that contains Dolutegravir 50 mg in each tablet. It belongs to a class called integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and is used, together with other antiretroviral medicines, to treat infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in adults and in children who meet the weight requirement set by their doctor.

Xapavir 50 Mg does not cure HIV. It lowers the amount of virus in the blood (the viral load) so the immune system can recover and the risk of HIV-related illness falls. It must be prescribed and monitored by a doctor experienced in HIV care.

Quick Product Fact Sheet

• Brand Name: Xapavir 50 Mg Tablet
• Active Ingredient (Salt Composition): Dolutegravir 50 mg
• Manufacturer: Natco Pharma
• Therapeutic Area: HIV-1 infection
• Pharmacological Class: Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)
• Dosage Form: Oral tablet
• Pack Size: 30 tablets
• Prescription Status: Prescription medicine
• Country of Origin: India

How Xapavir 50 Mg Works

HIV needs an enzyme called integrase to insert its genetic material into the DNA of human immune cells (CD4+ T-cells). Once the viral DNA is inserted, the cell is forced to make new copies of the virus.

Dolutegravir binds to the active site of integrase and blocks this strand-transfer step. Without integration, the virus cannot multiply efficiently, and the viral load falls. Dolutegravir also separates from the enzyme very slowly, which helps explain its strong resistance barrier compared with older integrase inhibitors.

What Is Xapavir 50 Mg Used For?

• Treatment of HIV-1 infection: always as part of a combination regimen. Xapavir 50 Mg contains dolutegravir only and is not used on its own.
• People starting treatment for the first time and people switching from another regimen, as decided by their doctor.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): dolutegravir-based regimens are used in some guidelines, only under medical direction.

Dosage and How to Take It

Take Xapavir 50 Mg exactly as your doctor prescribes. The dose can differ depending on your treatment history, other medicines you take and your weight.

• The usual adult dose is one 50 mg tablet once a day. Some situations, such as certain drug interactions or integrase-inhibitor resistance, call for twice-daily dosing, but only on a doctor’s instruction.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water. It can be taken with or without food.
• Take it at the same time every day to keep a steady level in your blood.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due within about 4 hours. Never take a double dose.
• Do not stop taking it without medical advice, even if you feel well.

Antacids and Mineral Supplements

Dolutegravir binds to minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and aluminium, which can stop it being absorbed. Take Xapavir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after antacids or supplements that contain these minerals. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise on taking calcium or iron supplements together with food.

Possible Side Effects

Common: headache, nausea, diarrhoea, trouble sleeping, dizziness, tiredness and weight gain.

Contact your doctor straight away if you have:

• A rash with fever, blisters, mouth sores, facial swelling or breathing difficulty (possible serious allergic reaction). Stop the medicine and seek urgent care.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or pain in the upper right abdomen (possible liver problems).
• Worsening low mood, anxiety or thoughts of self-harm.
• New or worsening symptoms of infection soon after starting treatment (immune reconstitution syndrome).

Warnings and Precautions

• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or hepatitis B or C, kidney problems, or a history of depression or other mental health conditions.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss with your doctor. Dolutegravir-based regimens are widely recommended by WHO for use in pregnancy, but the decision should be made with your healthcare provider. Breastfeeding advice depends on your local setting and your doctor’s guidance.
• Dolutegravir can cause a small, harmless rise in blood creatinine by affecting how the kidney handles it. Your doctor will interpret your kidney tests with this in mind.
• Regular viral load, CD4 count, liver and kidney tests are needed during treatment.
• Xapavir may cause dizziness, so take care when driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Drug Interactions

• Dofetilide: must not be taken together with dolutegravir because of a risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems.
• Metformin: dolutegravir raises metformin levels, so the metformin dose may need to be limited.
• Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort and efavirenz: can lower dolutegravir levels, so a dose change may be needed.
• Antacids, calcium and iron supplements, and multivitamins: separate the doses as described above.
• Do not combine with other integrase inhibitors. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines and herbal products you use.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, below 30°C, in the original container with the lid tightly closed.
• Protect from moisture and direct sunlight.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiry date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take Xapavir 50 Mg on its own?
No. HIV treatment needs a combination of medicines. Xapavir 50 Mg contains dolutegravir only and is taken together with other antiretrovirals, such as tenofovir or lamivudine-containing medicines, chosen by your doctor.

Is Xapavir 50 Mg the same as Xapavir LT?
No. Xapavir LT is a fixed-dose combination tablet that contains more than one active ingredient. Xapavir 50 Mg contains dolutegravir alone.

Does it cure HIV?
No. It controls the virus when taken every day. Keeping the viral load undetectable protects your health and prevents sexual transmission (undetectable = untransmittable).

What if I vomit after taking a dose?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist. Advice depends on how soon after the dose it happened.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for education only and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. Do not start, change or stop antiretroviral treatment without medical supervision.

References

• U.S. FDA: Tivicay (dolutegravir) Prescribing Information. View Source
• NCBI StatPearls: Dolutegravir. View Source
• World Health Organization: Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery and Monitoring. View Source
• HIV.gov ClinicalInfo: Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Adults and Adolescents with HIV. View Source
• MedlinePlus: Dolutegravir. View Source