Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Name

  1. Fuzeon



Enfuvirtide will not cure or prevent HIV infection or AIDS; however, it helps keep HIV from reproducing and appears to slow down the destruction of the immune system. This may help delay the development of problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease. Enfuvirtide will not keep you from spreading HIV to other people. People who receive this medicine may continue to have other problems usually related to AIDS or HIV disease.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Powder for Solution

Before Using









Information about this enfuvirtide-subcutaneous-route
Pregnancy Category Explanation



Drug Interactions



  • Tipranavir

Other Interactions


Other Medical Problems


  • Bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) or
  • Pneumonia risk factors, such as:
  • Cigarette smoking or
  • Immune system blood tests (abnormal) or
  • Intravenous drug use or

Proper Use

It is very important that you read the information for patients and the injection instructions very carefully. Ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions.

Enfuvirtide can be given by a health care professional. However, medicines given by injection are sometimes used at home. If you will be using enfuvirtide at home, your health care professional will teach you how to get the medicine ready for injection and how the injections are to be given. Be certain that you understand exactly how to get the medicine ready for injection and how the medicine is to be injected. Do not reuse needles and syringes.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. It is usually given under the skin by injection in the upper arm, upper leg or stomach. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not give yourself a shot near your elbow, knee, groin, lower or inner buttocks, into your navel (belly button), or into any skin where you have a mole, scar, bruise, tattoos, or burn sites .

This medicine comes as a powder that must be mixed with a special liquid before using. Use only the sterile water that came with your medicine to prepare it. Do not shake the medicine after adding the water. Gently tap the vial for 10 seconds and then roll it between your hands to avoid foaming. Wait for the powdered medicine to completely dissolve in the water before using it. This may take up to 45 minutes. Before using the medicine, make sure the solution is clear, colorless, and without bubbles .

Put used needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant disposable container, or dispose of them as directed by your health care professional.

It is important to take enfuvirtide as part of a combination treatment. Be sure to take all the medicines your doctor has prescribed for you, including enfuvirtide.





  • For parenteral dosage form (injection):
    • For treatment of HIV infection:
      • Adults—90 milligrams (mg) twice a day given by injection.
      • Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose





Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Store reconstituted solution (mixed with water) in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours.



You should not breast-feed if you have HIV or AIDS, because you may give the infection to your baby through your breast milk .


This medicine may cause a severe allergic reaction in some patients. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice cough; difficulty breathing; fever; skin rash; or unusual tiredness or weakness .

This medicine may increase the chance of bacterial pneumonia in some patients. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice cough with fever; difficulty breathing; fast breathing; or shortness of breath .

This medicine can cause reactions at the place on your body where it was injected. Almost all people get injection site reactions with enfuvirtide. These reactions hurt and itch, and they are usually mild to moderate but can occasionally be severe. These reactions generally happen within the first week of treatment and usually happen again as you keep using enfuvirtide. If the injection site nodules drain pus or cause redness that spreads or streaks from the sites, or you are worried about the reaction you are having, call your doctor right away .

Some people who have used Biojector® 2000 to inject this medicine have had shooting nerve pain and tingling lasting up to 6 months when injected close to large nerves or near joints, or had bleeding, bruising, or lumps. Ask your doctor about this if you are concerned before you use the device .


Side Effects



More common

  1. Awkwardness
  2. burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations or weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet
  3. cough
  4. headache
  5. pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
  6. shortness of breath or troubled breathing
  7. stuffy or runny nose
  8. tightness of chest
  9. unsteadiness
  10. wheezing

Less common

  1. Bloating
  2. chills
  3. constipation
  4. darkened urine
  5. dry or itching eyes
  6. excessive tearing
  7. eye discharge
  8. fast heartbeat
  9. fever
  10. indigestion
  11. itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on skin at injection site
  12. loss of appetite
  13. lump or growth on skin
  14. nausea
  15. pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  16. redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
  17. vomiting
  18. yellow eyes or skin


  1. Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
  2. fast heartbeat
  3. skin itching, rash, or redness
  4. swelling of face, throat, or tongue

Incidence not known

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. bleeding gums
  3. blood in urine or stools
  4. bloody urine
  5. chest pain
  6. decreased frequency or amount of urine
  7. inability to move arms and legs
  8. increased blood pressure
  9. increased thirst
  10. lower back or side pain
  11. painful or difficult urination
  12. pale skin
  13. pinpoint red spots on skin
  14. sneezing
  15. sore throat
  16. sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
  17. swelling of face, fingers, lower legs; weight gain
  18. ulcers, sores, or white spots in mouth
  19. unusual bleeding or bruising
  20. unusual tiredness or weakness


More common

  1. Abnormal growth filled with fluid or semisolid material
  2. bruising
  3. burning or stinging of skin
  4. decreased appetite
  5. diarrhea
  6. discouragement
  7. dry mouth
  8. fear
  9. feeling sad or empty
  10. flushing
  11. hard lump
  12. irritability
  13. itching skin
  14. lack of appetite
  15. lack or loss of strength
  17. muscle pain
  18. nervousness
  19. painful cold sores or blisters on lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
  20. redness of skin
  21. small lumps under the skin
  22. tiredness
  23. trouble concentrating
  24. trouble sleeping
  25. unusually warm skin
  26. weight loss

Less common

  1. Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  2. burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas
  3. change in taste
  4. diarrhea
  5. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  6. joint pain
  7. pus at root of hair
  8. stomach pain
  9. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin

