Fuzeon
(enfuvirtide)
Treats HIV infection.
Our bottom line
Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) is good for people who have not responded well to other HIV medications, but it must be injected into the skin twice a day, and can cause injection site irritation.
- Drug class: Infection
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) is typically used if you've already been taking HIV medications or if there might be resistance to your current HIV medications.
- This drug will help the immune system work better.
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What to expect from Fuzeon, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Unlike other HIV medications, Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) needs to be injected into your skin and cannot be taken by mouth.
- 98% of people experienced irritation at the site of injection.
- This drug does not prevent disease transmission. Always practice safe sex while taking Fuzeon (enfuvirtide). Don't share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
- Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) must be used in combination with other HIV medications, and cannot be used by itself.
- Can only be used in people who have developed resistance to other HIV medications. Resistance is when other drugs don't treat the infection as well anymore.
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What to expect from Fuzeon, on one page
Download Fact SheetFuzeon (enfuvirtide) treats HIV infection by preventing the virus from entering and fusing with your immune cells.
- Drug class: Infection
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$3655.61
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$3666.77
What to expect when you take Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) for HIV infection
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Local injection site reaction
- Pain/discomfort
- Localized hardening of the skin
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
Side effect rates for Fuzeon (enfuvirtide)
- Local injection site reaction98%98%
- Pain/discomfort96%96%
- Skin redness91%91%
- Localized hardening of the skin90%90%
- Nodules and cysts80%80%
- Itching65%65%
- Subcutaneous spot of bleeding52%52%
- Diarrhea32%32%
- Nausea23%23%
- Fatigue20%20%
- Weight decreased7%7%
- Sinus inflammation6%6%
- Abdominal pain4%4%
- Cough4%4%
- Herpes simplex4%4%
- Decreased appetite3%3%
- Pancreatitis3%3%
- Limb pain3%3%
- Pneumonia3%3%
- Muscle pain3%3%
- Flu-like illness2%2%
- Inflammation of hair follicles2%2%
- Anorexia2%2%
- Dry mouth2%2%
- Pinkeye2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Fuzeon.
People taking Fuzeon felt side effect more
People taking Fuzeon felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Fuzeon (enfuvirtide)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.You might experience a skin reaction to Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) around the area where you inject the medication. This can include pain, discomfort, redness, itching, or irritation at the site of injection. Reactions can occur at more than one injection site. Your doctor will teach you how to properly inject Fuzeon (enfuvirtide), and how to look out for signs or symptoms of local infection.
Common concerns from people taking Fuzeon (enfuvirtide)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Nerve pain lasting up to 6 months has been associated with injecting Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) at sites where large nerves lay close to the skin. Symptoms including bruising, and hematoma (collection of blood outside the blood vessel) have occurred with the use of the Biojector 2000 needle-free device. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.