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raltegravir (Isentress HD)

✓ Approved

Merck & Co. · · Small Molecule

What is raltegravir?

raltegravir is a small molecule developed by Merck & Co.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesIsentress HD
CompanyMerck & Co.
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Merck & Co.

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

raltegravir acts on 1 molecular target:

gag-pol, HIV-1 (gag-pol)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

raltegravir is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedThe American journal of case reports2026-09-20

Eisenmenger Syndrome After Delayed Atrial Septal Defect Closure at High Altitude: A Case Report.

Guaman-Gavilema Angelica A, Villacres-Alarcon Domenica D, Arteaga-Arellano Andres A, Arregui-Costales Roberto R et al.

BACKGROUND Eisenmenger syndrome develops from untreated or late-repaired cardiac shunts, causing irreversible pulmonary-vascular remodeling and systemic symptoms. Although timely repair has nearly eradicated Eisenmenger syndrome in high-income regions, delayed diagnosis in middle-income countries, especially when combined with chronic high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia, such as at approximately 2800 m (9186 ft) in the Ecuadorian Andes, can accelerate pulmonary hypertension through hypoxic vasoconstriction and erythrocytosis. We report a case of Eisenmenger syndrome 2 decades after surgical atrial septal defect closure. CASE REPORT A 46-year-old woman living at high altitude presented with severe cyanosis and heart failure 22 years after atrial septal defect closure. She had marked hypoxemia and secondary erythrocytosis. Echocardiography showed suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressure, severe right-chamber dilation, and reduced right ventricular systolic function. Right-heart catheterization confirmed Eisenmenger physiology with severe pulmonary-vascular resistance and low cardiac index. Chest computed tomography showed marked pulmonary artery enlargement without thromboembolic disease. Multidisciplinary management included bosentan 125 mg twice daily, tadalafil 10 mg once daily, nocturnal oxygen, diuretics, and anticoagulation, resulting in symptomatic stabilization and discharge on day 4. Transplant evaluation was initiated. CONCLUSIONS Delayed atrial septal defect repair at high altitude can lead to irreversible Eisenmenger syndrome, for which current therapy is palliative. Early defect recognition and closure, congenital heart screening, and access to pulmonary vasodilators and transplant programs are imperative in resource-constrained mountainous regions.

PMID 42763416
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PubMedLancet regional health. Americas2026-09-20

A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis to determine the effect of primaquine dose on efficacy, tolerability and safety in uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in Latin America.

Nguyen Kathy K, de Pina-Costa Anielle A, Rajasekhar Megha M, Chamma-Siqueira Nathália N NN et al.

Primaquine is widely used to prevent relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria, but the optimal dose in Latin America is unknown. We undertook a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of different primaquine dosing regimens for the prevention of P. vivax recurrences in Latin America. MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Central were systematically searched for prospective clinical efficacy studies of patients with uncomplicated P. vivax malaria in Latin America treated with daily primaquine within 28 days of schizontocidal treatment and published between January 1, 2000 and July 3, 2026. The efficacy of the total primaquine mg/kg dose on the rate of any P. vivax recurrence within 150 days of completing antimalarial treatment was assessed by Cox's proportional hazards regression. The effect of the daily primaquine mg/kg dose on gastrointestinal symptoms was assessed 5-7 days after starting primaquine and on the risk of haemolysis on days 1-14 after starting primaquine. The systematic review was registered at PROSPERO CRD42024598742. Of 40 eligible studies, 1734 patients from 13 studies were included. The cumulative incidence of recurrence 150 days after the last dose of primaquine was 68.2% (95% CI 59.5-76.6) in 119 patients not treated with primaquine, 30.8% (27.0-35.0) in 1000 patients treated with low total dose (2 to <5 mg/kg) primaquine, and 8.7% (5.6-13.2) in 286 patients treated with high total dose (≥5 mg/kg) primaquine. The rate of recurrence within 150 days was lower in patients treated with high compared to low total dose primaquine (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.36, 95% CI 0.21-0.62; p < 0.0001). Gastrointestinal disturbance was reported in 1.1% (1/94) of patients administered a low daily primaquine dose (<0.375 mg/kg/day) and 2.6% (4/152) administered an intermediate daily dose (0.375 to <0.75 mg/kg/day). None of 501 patients with ≥30% G6PD activity had an acute haemoglobin drop by >25% to <7 g/dL within 14 days of starting primaquine, although only 7 patients received high daily dose primaquine (≥0.75 mg/kg/day). Patients treated with high total dose primaquine had less than half the risk of P. vivax recurrence compared to those treated with low dose primaquine. The high dose regimen was well tolerated and no safety concerns were observed in patients with ≥30% G6PD activity. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

PMID 42763508
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PubMedJournal of the American Academy of Audiology2026-09-20

Relationship Between Affected Semicircular Canal and Functional Limitations and Anxiety in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Nas Özütemiz Gamze G, Hızal Evren E, Parabakan Polat Anı A, Kuntman Berna Deniz BD et al.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) causes functional limitations in activities of daily living, increases the risk of falls, and leads to increased anxiety. To assess the relationship between the plane of the affected semicircular canal and functional limitations, fall risk, and anxiety in patients with BPPV. The Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were administered to patients with BPPV with single-canal involvement who were treated with canalith repositioning maneuvers. Patients with multicanal involvement were not included in the study. Scores were compared among posterior, lateral, and anterior canal BPPV groups. Adults aged 18-65 years presenting with vertigo and diagnosed with BPPV between May and October 2021 were included. Group differences among canal subtypes were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Between-group comparisons among canal groups were further examined with a one-way analysis of covariance adjusted for age and sex. Bonferroni correction was applied for post hoc pairwise comparisons. For categorical variables, between-group differences were assessed with Pearson's χ2 test. Patients with anterior canal BPPV had significantly lower VADL scores, whereas HAM-A and BBS scores did not differ by canal involvement. Women showed higher anxiety and fall risk scores, and the oldest age group had lower BBS scores. According to VADL scores, anterior canal BPPV was associated with less functional limitation than posterior or lateral canal BPPV. Anxiety and fall risk scores showed no canal-related differences. Clinicians can use the canal plane to set expectations for daily function recovery while prioritizing fall prevention strategies irrespective of canal.

PMID 42763597
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PubMedJournal of multidisciplinary healthcare2026-09-20

User Needs for an Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Basic Activities of Daily Living Training System After Stroke: A Qualitative Study.

Wang Qing Q, Xiong Jing J, Lin Suzhu S, Lin Xiujiao X et al.

To explore patients' and primary caregivers' willingness to use an artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered basic activities of daily living (BADL) training system and their needs, concerns, and expectations regarding the system. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in the Department of Neurology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China. Patients with poststroke hemiplegia and primary caregivers were recruited using purposive sampling. Semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 11 patients with poststroke hemiplegia and 13 primary caregivers to capture both patient and caregiver perspectives. Data were collected on participant-reported BADL difficulties, willingness to use the AI-empowered BADL training system, perceived needs and concerns, and expectations for system design. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: 1) BADL limitations created shared difficulties for patients and caregivers; 2) acceptance of the AI-empowered BADL training system depended on usefulness and functional fit; 3) participants expected low-barrier, understandable, and sustainable training support; and 4) the system was viewed as a supplement to professional rehabilitation and family caregiving. An AI-empowered BADL training system may be acceptable to patients with poststroke hemiplegia and their primary caregivers if it is safe, reliable, easy to use, and appropriate to patients' functional status. These findings may guide the future development of task-oriented AI-empowered BADL training systems that support patient-caregiver collaboration, safety assurance, sustained engagement, and human-AI collaboration in rehabilitation.

PMID 42763734
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PubMedJournal of general and family medicine2026-09-20

Current Gaps in Point-of-Care Ultrasound Supervision in Generalist Practice in Japan: A Nationwide Survey.

Yamada Toru T, Kimura Takuma T, Shigetomi Kyoko K, Shinohara Takahiro T et al.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in generalist practice by physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses. However, the current availability of clinical supervision and preferred supervision models for POCUS remains unclear. We conducted an anonymous web-based survey among members of five academic societies related to generalist practice in Japan between April 2024 and March 2025. The target respondents were physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses. The survey assessed POCUS use in daily clinical practice, current supervision status, preferred supervision models, and previous training experience. A total of 1056 valid responses were analyzed, including 835 physicians and 221 nurses or nurse practitioners. Overall, 735 respondents (69.6%) reported performing some form of POCUS in daily clinical practice. The most common current supervision status was having no available supervisor inside or outside the facility (36.9%), more common among physicians than among nurses and nurse practitioners (42.2% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001). Real-time online supervision was reported as the current supervision status by 2.1% of respondents, whereas 56.3% selected it as a preferred model and 79.5% selected continuous in-person supervision; the two items used different response formats (single choice vs. multiple response) and are not directly comparable. Fewer than 40% of respondents had received previous POCUS training, although 77.8% expressed future training needs. POCUS is widely used in generalist practice in Japan, but clinical supervision remains insufficient. Reported current supervision differed from preferred supervision models, suggesting that real-time online supervision may be a feasible strategy to support safe and sustainable POCUS implementation.

PMID 42763574
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PubMedCureus2026-09-20

Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm With Fistulization to the Transverse Colon: A Case Report.

Mitchell Meagan M, Schott Christina A CA, Rodriguez Gustavo G, Khalili Marian M et al.

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysms (SAPs) are rare occurrences, most commonly secondary to pancreatitis, abdominal trauma, or postoperative/iatrogenic causes. The most common presenting symptom is abdominal pain, but it may also be hematochezia, melena, or hematemesis. SAP rupture or fistulation causes massive hemorrhage leading to hemorrhagic shock and possible death if left untreated. The timely diagnosis and treatment of SAPs are therefore crucial in managing these patients. Here, we present a case of a female in her 80s presenting with rectal bleeding, diagnosed with SAP with fistulization to the transverse colon as seen on contrasted abdominopelvic CT. She was treated with endovascular embolization, which successfully resolved the bleeding, and subsequent splenectomy and splenic flexure colectomy. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by urinary retention due to presumed UTI, left-sided pleural effusion, mitral regurgitation, and tricuspid regurgitation. Once the complications resolved, the patient did well with symptom resolution. Early diagnosis is crucial for the management of these patients. Due to the nonspecific presentation, a high level of suspicion should prompt further evaluation to prevent adverse outcomes. Fistulization of SAPs to surrounding structures could lead to complications, as was seen with this patient. However, endovascular embolization of the SAP with subsequent segmental resection of the involved colon proved to be a successful treatment.

PMID 42763603
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