Home Drug Guide Lenacapavir Sodium

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Lenacapavir Sodium

Brand Names Sunlenca

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiretroviral Agent for HIV Infection

Pharmacological: Capsid Assembly Inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of HIV-1 infection in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant virus

Mechanism of Action

Lenacapavir inhibits HIV by binding to the viral capsid protein, disrupting multiple stages of the viral life cycle, including capsid uncoating, nuclear import, and genome release, thereby preventing replication.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initial loading dose of 475 mg IV once, followed by maintenance doses of 927 mg orally every 6 months.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments; assess for comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: No specific dose adjustment recommended; monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific data; caution advised and monitor liver function.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Orally bioavailable with high plasma protein binding.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses into tissues including lymph nodes.

Metabolism: Primarily metabolized by esterases, minimal CYP450 involvement.

Excretion: Primarily via feces; negligible renal excretion.

Half Life: Approximately 2 weeks (14 days).

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to lenacapavir or components.

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment, as data are limited.
  • Monitor for signs of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Unknown)
  • Diarrhea (Unknown)
  • Fatigue (Unknown)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Elevated liver enzymes (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • No well-established interactions; caution with other potent CYP3A inducers/inhibitors due to potential effect on efficacy.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No significant food interactions reported.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; consult current guidelines.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for adverse reactions, adherence, and viral load suppression.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for medication nonscompliance,
  • Potential for adverse drug reactions.

Implementation: Educate patient on dosing schedule and potential side effects.

Evaluation: Assess viral load and CD4 count periodically to evaluate efficacy.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Importance of adherence to dosing schedule.
  • Possible side effects and when to report them.
  • Need for regular medical follow-up.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently specified.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic testing required.

Lab Test Interference: No specific interference reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential toxicity is unknown; monitor for signs of adverse effects.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Contact poison control.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Keep in original container.

Stability: Stable under recommended conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.