Intelence® for HIV-1 Treatment: Uses, Dosage, and Safety

What Intelence® Is and How It Works

Intelence (etravirine) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used with other antiretrovirals to treat HIV‑1 infection in adults and in children 2 years and older. It is taken by mouth as tablets, usually twice daily after a meal. Many shoppers compare Intelence price options when deciding where to buy Intelence online, and some seek Intelence without insurance to lower out‑of‑pocket costs.

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Etravirine binds to HIV‑1 reverse transcriptase at an allosteric site. This reduces the enzyme’s ability to convert viral RNA into DNA, which helps suppress viral replication. Intelence is often chosen for treatment‑experienced patients because it retains activity against some NNRTI‑resistant strains. It must be used as part of a combination regimen and not alone.

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Dosage and Usage

• Usual adult dose: 200 mg twice daily, following a meal.
• Pediatric dosing (2 to <18 years): weight‑based, given twice daily using 25 mg tablets as needed. Follow the prescriber’s instructions.
• Administration: swallow tablets whole with liquid after a meal. Do not take on an empty stomach.
• Dispersed dose option: if swallowing is difficult, disperse the tablet in a small glass of water. Stir well and drink immediately. Rinse the glass several times with water or milk/juice and drink to ensure the full dose.
• Missed dose: if remembered within 6 hours of the usual time, take the dose after food and resume the regular schedule. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double doses.
• Do not use Intelence as monotherapy. Combine with other antiretrovirals per the treatment plan.

• Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F). Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from moisture.
• Keep the desiccant in the bottle. Do not remove it.
• Traveling: carry Intelence in original packaging in your hand luggage. Keep tablets dry and away from temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F).
• If a dose must be dispersed, prepare immediately before taking; do not store the mixture.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Intelence provides an option for treatment‑experienced patients when resistance limits other NNRTIs. Twice‑daily dosing with food supports stable absorption, and tablet dispersion helps those with swallowing difficulties. In clinical use, etravirine contributes to viral load reductions and CD4 count improvements when combined with an effective regimen.

Ordering from Canada can offer meaningful savings versus typical US retail pricing. Many customers report 60–80% lower costs, including those purchasing Intelence without insurance. Multi‑month supplies and bulk promotions can further reduce the per‑month cost, and reorder reminders help avoid gaps in therapy.

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Side Effects and Safety

• Common: rash, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue.
• Laboratory changes: increases in cholesterol or triglycerides, mild elevations in liver enzymes.
• Less common: paresthesia, insomnia, cough.
• Skin reactions typically appear within the first 6 weeks and are often mild to moderate.

Serious but rare reactions include severe skin reactions such as Stevens‑Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Stop treatment and seek urgent care if severe rash, blistering, mucosal involvement, fever, or systemic symptoms occur. Hepatic events can occur, especially in those with hepatitis B or C; monitoring is recommended. Immune reconstitution syndrome may occur after starting combination ART.

Drug interactions are important with etravirine. Contraindicated or not recommended combinations include strong enzyme inducers such as rifampin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and St. John’s wort. Tipranavir/ritonavir reduces etravirine exposure. Always review other antiretrovirals and concomitant drugs, including warfarin and certain hormonal contraceptives, for interaction management.

Onset Time

With a fully active regimen, viral load declines are often seen within 2–4 weeks. Many patients reach larger reductions by 8–24 weeks as adherence continues and companion drugs take effect. CD4 count increases typically appear over months. Skin rash, if it occurs, usually presents within the first 2–6 weeks.

Compare With Alternatives

Many patients today use integrase inhibitor–based regimens. Single‑tablet options such as Biktarvy® simplify therapy to once daily and are common in treatment‑naive patients without resistance. Intelence remains useful where resistance or intolerance limits other NNRTIs.

Backbone nucleoside combinations like Descovy® (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) are frequently paired with additional agents. In treatment‑experienced patients, etravirine may be combined with a boosted protease inhibitor or an integrase inhibitor plus an NRTI backbone to build a potent regimen.

Some patients may use entry inhibitors, such as maraviroc (a CCR5 antagonist), when the virus is CCR5‑tropic. Selection depends on genotype, drug interactions, comorbidities, and prior treatment history.

Combination Therapy

• Etravirine plus a ritonavir‑ or cobicistat‑boosted protease inhibitor (e.g., darunavir/ritonavir) and two NRTIs.
• Etravirine with an integrase inhibitor (e.g., dolutegravir) and an appropriate NRTI backbone.
• In select cases, add a CCR5 antagonist when tropism testing supports use.
• Avoid use with tipranavir/ritonavir and strong enzyme inducers due to reduced etravirine levels.
• Monitor for interactions with anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, and hormonal contraceptives; dose adjustments or alternatives may be needed.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Intelence is intended for people with HIV‑1 infection as part of combination antiretroviral therapy, including treatment‑experienced patients with certain NNRTI resistance mutations. It is not used alone. Pediatric patients 2 years and older may be eligible with weight‑based dosing. Those with severe hepatic impairment (Child‑Pugh C) should generally avoid etravirine.

Use caution in individuals with hepatitis B or C co‑infection, prior severe rash to NNRTIs, or known hypersensitivity to etravirine. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding plans with the prescriber. Regular adherence and laboratory monitoring support long‑term outcomes.

To reduce costs, consider a multi‑month supply to lower the per‑month Intelence cost, and set reorder reminders before running low. A planned Intelence bulk order can help consolidate shipping fees. If paying the Intelence cash price, Canadian pharmacy pricing may provide meaningful savings versus typical US retail.

Authoritative Sources

Intelence (etravirine) Prescribing Information — FDA

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Intelence

Manufacturer Product Monograph for Intelence

Order Intelence® from Youdrugstore.com: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and medication use.