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Overview: Idvynso is a medicine used to treat HIV in certain people. Common side effects may include diarrhea, dizziness, tiredness, swelling of your stomach area, headache, or weight gain. Serious side effects are less common but can include serious skin reactions. Stop taking Idvynso and contact your health care provider right away if you have a painful rash or a rash with a muscle aches or fever.

Uses

What is Idvynso used for?

Idvynso (doravirine/islatravir) is commonly used to treat HIV in certain people. If your current HIV treatment is working well and your virus is under control, Idvynso may be used as a replacement medicine, as long as your HIV has not become resistant to one of the medicines in Idvynso.

What to Know About HIV Treatment With Idvynso

Idvynso may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Idvynso work (mechanism of action)?

Idvynso contains 2 medicines: doravirine and islatravir. They work together to stop the spread of HIV in your body.

How is Idvynso supplied (dosage forms)?

Idvynso is available as 100 mg/0.25 mg oral tablets that are taken by mouth.

How should I store Idvynso?

Idvynso should be stored in the original bottle at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. The bottle contains a desiccant to keep the medicine dry. Do not remove or eat it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Idvynso?

The most common side effects of Idvynso are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Tiredness
  • Swelling of your stomach area
  • Headache
  • Weight gain

There may be other side effects of Idvynso that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Idvynso?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Idvynso are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Idvynso may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Idvynso can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop taking Idvynso and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Idvynso?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Idvynso.

  • Doravirine
  • Idvynso
  • Islatravir
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Idvynso.

Drug Interactions. Idvynso should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Idvynso, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Idvynso before taking it?

Do not take Idvynso unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Try to take it around the same time each day. 

Do not change your dose or stop taking Idvynso without your health care provider telling you to do so. 

Do not share Idvynso with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

While Idvynso can keep the HIV infection under control, it does not cure it. Also, Idvynso does not help protect against or prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

Keep Idvynso out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking Idvynso?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Idvynso is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Previous or current hepatitis B infection

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Idvynso could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Idvynso, you can sign up for the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-258-4263. This registry collects safety information about the use of HIV medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Idvynso passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There may be risks with breastfeeding while taking Idvynso and having HIV. These can include passing HIV to your baby, increasing the possibility of resistance if your baby has HIV, or side effects in your baby from Idvynso. 

How can I get more information about Idvynso?

For more information about Idvynso, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.merck.com/patients/patient-support-programs or call them at 800-444-2080.

Interactions

Does Idvynso interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Idvynso and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Idvynso, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections.

Does Idvynso interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Idvynso.

  • Emtricitabine (Emtriva), which is a medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Lamivudine (Epivir), which is a medicine for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis B
  • Any other medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • Cladribine (Leustatin), clofarabine (Clolar), cytarabine (Cytosar-U, Depocyt), fludarabine (Fludara), gemcitabine (Gemzar, Infugem), or pentostatin (Nipent), which is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Idvynso. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Idvynso. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Idvynso?

If you or someone else has used too much Idvynso, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Idvynso?

Missing doses of Idvynso can cause it to not work as well over time. So it is important not to miss or skip doses. Be sure to order your refills before you run out of medicine. This will help reduce your chance of missing any doses. 

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.