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Enfuvirtide

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Enfuvirtide (or T-20) is the first of a new class of drugs called fusion inhibitors, so called because they stop HIV from binding to and entering the human cell. Once HIV has attached to a receptor, it needs to bind to glycoprotein 41 (gp41) on the cell surface. T-20 binds to gp41, preventing HIV from entering the CD4 cell.

Enfuvirtide has to be injected under the skin twice daily. Almost everyone who uses it gets skin reactions where it is injected. Most of these are not serious.

Enfuvirtide is designed for people who have developed multiple drug resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant.. It has not been trialed in treatment-naïve patients.

Generic name: enfuvirtide (T-20)
Pronunciation:en-FOO-vi-tide
Brand name:Fuzeon
Drug class:fusion inhibitor
Pediatric dosing?Available in doses suitable for children and/or young people.
Availability in Australia:
  • Available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) through S100 prescribers.
  • This drug may be available through clinical trials in Australia.
  • You may be able to import this drug from overseas for your personal use.
Presentation:90 mg vial
What the treatment guidelines say:Local injection site reactions – almost 100% of patients (pain, erythema, induration, nodules and cysts, pruritus, ecchymosis). Increased bacterial pneumonia. Hypersensitivity reaction (<1%) - symptoms may include rash, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, rigors, hypotension, or elevated serum transaminases; rechallenge is not recommended
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Like most anti-HIV drugs, enfuvirtide must be taken in combination with other drugs to be completely effective. Your doctor will advise you on the right combination of drugs to suit your circumstances.

Dosage

One 90 mg vial by subcutaneous injection twice a day.

Regardless of what you read on this website or elsewhere, you should always take your medications according to your doctor's instructions. If you're unsure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects

All drugs can produce side effects in some people. These may be mild, moderate or severe, so you should be aware of potential side effects before starting any drug, and speak to your doctor if you experience side effects that concern you.

  • Common side effects may include injection site reactions.
  • Less common side effects may include headache, peripheral neuropathy, insomnia, eosinophilia.
  • Rare side effects may include bacterial pneumonia, lymphadenopathy.

    • It's unlikely you will experience all of these side effects, and you may not experience any side effects at all. Before starting any new drug, ask your doctor about side effects you might experience and discuss strategies for dealing with side effects if they do occur. If you experience any significant side effect you should continue taking your medicine and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with other drugs

There are no known clinically significant interactions between enfuvirtide and any other medications.
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ASHM 2006: Strategies for coping with multiple drug resistance

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 21 December 2006

Finding effective treatment options for people who have taken many treatments and have multiple resistanceHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistantHIV which has mutated and is less susceptible to the effects of one or more anti-HIV drugs is said to be resistant.. mutations continues to be a significant challenge for HIV clinicians, and their patients. read more »

Time to deliver

Positive Living article • John Daye • 5 October 2006

The 16th International AIDS Conference highlighted numerous important and promising developments in HIV treatments. JOHN DAYE reports. read more »

Advice on T-20 and international travel

Story • Paul Kidd • 1 September 2006

Following the recent terrorist alert in the UK, new rules prevent passengers on many international flights carrying liquids in their hand luggage. Read this article for advice on travelling with T-20 under the new rules. read more »

The T-20 conundrum

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 27 April 2006

What is the place of T-20 in the spectrum of HIV treatment, and when is the best time to start treatment on T-20? These were among the questions considered at a meeting in Sydney on Saturday 8 April. read more »

One Day

Positive Living article • Ian J Thompson • 27 April 2006
HIV in Australia

Not all my days are the same, but Thursday is the day I do my volunteer work for PLWHAPerson (or People) Living with HIV/AIDS. NSW, something I look forward to each week. Going into the office makes me feel good, it gives me purpose and motivation, and allows me to enter an environment that I always find welcoming, friendly and rewarding. read more »

News and treatments briefs

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 28 July 2005

HIV-related news in brief from the June-July 2005 edition of Positive Living. read more »

Rescue me

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 19 May 2005

What are the options when you’re running out of options? read more »

Never say never

Positive Living article • Bernie Slagtman • 19 December 2004

The fusion inhibitor T-20 is presents some special challenges when travelling. Bernie Slagtman shares his tips for taking T-20 on the road. read more »

A tale of two cities

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 19 December 2004

With major medical conferences in the United States and Scotland, November was a busy month for HIV medicine. PAUL KIDD reviews some key findings. read more »

Triple treat

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 15 October 2004

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. has recently added three new antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV., to become available on prescription in December. PAUL KIDD takes a look at the newest weapons in the anti-HIV armoury. read more »

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The table below shows all the clinical trials in the database with the keyword enfuvirtide (T-20).

Short titleStatus
BLQ study (darunavir plus enfuvirtide) Reported
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This Treatments database entry was first published on 15 June 2009 — more than two years ago.

While the content of this treatments database entry was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

This article may contain medical information. NAPWA makes every reasonable effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate, reliable and up-to-date, including obtaining technical reviews by medically-qualified reviewers, however the authors of information on this website are not qualified to give medical advice, except where explicitly stated.

The content of this website is intended to support, not replace, the relationship between people living with HIV/AIDS and their medical advisers, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

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