Names: Maraviroc, MVC, Celsentri

Approved dosage: The dose of maraviroc is dependent on the other anti-HIV drugs you take. Your HIV doctor or pharmacist will talk to you about which dose is appropriate for you. Most people will take one blue tablet (300mg or 150mg) twice daily.

Note: Maraviroc should only be used by people with a type of HIV called ‘CCR5-tropic’ HIV. Not everybody has this type of virus; if you do not have it, you should not take maraviroc. Your HIV clinic should carry out a test called a tropism test to see if you have CCR5-tropic HIV before prescribing the drug.

Tips on taking it: Take the dose with or without food.

Common side-effects: Postural hypotension (dizziness on standing too quickly), anaemia, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, flatulence, weakness, depression, difficulty in sleeping, raised liver enzyme levels, rash. 

Rare side-effects: Liver problems, allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction including itchy rash, yellowing of the eyes, vomiting, dark urine and abdominal pain on the right side.

Resistance: Resistance to maraviroc is still being studied and appears to occur in a different way to other anti-HIV drugs.

Children: Celsentri can be used by children of 2 years and over. Oral solution available.

Key drug interactions: Dose adjustment needed when maraviroc is taken with some other anti-HIV drugs.

If you are prescribed certain drugs, including oral ketoconazole (not the shampoo), itraconazole and clarithromycin, your dose of maraviroc may need to be changed. Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss this with you.

People on the anti-TB drug rifampicin and on carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin (used to treat epilepsy) will need an adjusted dose of maraviroc. Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss this with you.

St John’s wort should not be taken with maraviroc.