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A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
PIFELTRO is a prescription HIV-1 medicine used with other antiretroviral medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines for people whose healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Do not take PIFELTRO if you take any of the following medicines: -carbamazepine -oxcarbazepine -phenobarbital -phenytoin -enzalutamide -rifampin -rifapentine -mitotane -St. John’s wort Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is one that is listed above. If you have taken any of the medicines in the past 4 weeks, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting PIFELTRO. Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your doctor right away if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine. The most common side effects of PIFELTRO include: nausea, dizziness, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and abnormal dreams. These are not all the possible side effects of PIFELTRO. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Before starting PIFELTRO, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PIFELTRO can harm your unborn baby. Do not breastfeed if you take PIFELTRO. Women with HIV should not breastfeed because their babies could be infected with HIV through their breast milk. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with PIFELTRO. Keep a list of your medicines to show your doctor and pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you have taken rifabutin in the past 4 weeks. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe to take PIFELTRO with those other medicines. Take PIFELTRO every day exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Take PIFELTRO 1 time each day, at about the same time every day. Tell your doctor if you have taken rifabutin in the past 4 weeks. If you take the medicine rifabutin during treatment with PIFELTRO, take PIFELTRO 2 times each day, about 12 hours apart, as prescribed by your doctor. You may not have enough doravirine in your blood if you take rifabutin during treatment with PIFELTRO. Do not change your dose or stop taking PIFELTRO without talking to your doctor. Stay under a healthcare provider's care when taking PIFELTRO. Take PIFELTRO on a regular dosing schedule as instructed by your doctor. Do not miss doses. 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 the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of PIFELTRO at the same time. Get your PIFELTRO refilled from your doctor or pharmacy before you run out. When your PIFELTRO supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to PIFELTRO and become harder to treat.